Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Chained Flower ( Chapter 9 )

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

Disclaimer - I don't own RK

Well here it is, the chapter that many if not all of you have been waiting for. I hope it lives up to your expectations. One quick note, this chapter contains a bit of strong language.


Chapter 9 - Chained Flower

Kaoru woke slowly, the sounds of the city below intruding into the peaceful darkness surrounding her fogged mind. Burrowing deeper into the pillows she tried to hold onto the last few tendrils of sleep as she tried without success to recapture the sense of contentment she'd felt while in the dream with the redheaded man. A warm feeling flooded through her veins at the thought of him, the feel of his skin still tingling across her fingertips. Last night had seemed so real. She could have sworn she'd really been there so close to him. Her heart picked up pace as his whispered words filtered into her mind again ‘...deep down we are connected. Let that feeling guide you to me’. Was that true? Was that why she found herself so often with him in her dreams? Was he really... real?

Rolling onto her back she slowly slid her eyes open to the brightening room. Lifting her hand she gently trailed her pinky over her bottom lip, a small smile forming as she once again felt his lips against hers. He must be real because last night he had looked exactly like the man she'd bumped into on the sidewalk. Right down to the cross shaped scar on his cheek. And she could feel it, deep down in her soul there was something there. Something calling her to him.

A pathetic mewl from the door pulled her from her thoughts and she sighed, it didn't matter if they were connected or not. Right now she had more important things to deal with.

A heavy weight settled on her shoulders as a dull throb started to ache in the vicinity of her heart. Throwing back the blankets she sat up and ran her fingers through her hair. Hopefully today things would be different. Maybe it was time to have a talk with Enishi and find out exactly what she was to him. She had to know because she couldn't live like this anymore.

Another mewl came from the door. With a sigh she pushed off the bed and wandered over to unlock it, opening it enough for Raijin to slip through. Peeking out into the livingroom her heart skipped a beat when her eyes lit on Enishi standing in the kitchen fixing tea. Transfixed she watched as his skin rippled over the taut muscles of his chest, the tiger tattooed over his shoulder moving with its master. Kami it had been a long time since she'd seen him like this.

"Tea will be ready soon."

Shocked out of her perusal she let her eyes drift up from the tattoo to his face. Her cheeks pinked at the smirk on his lips, "O..ok. I'll be out in a minute."

Hastily closing the door she leaned against it and took a deep breath. God it had been too long. Glancing down at the kitty curling himself around her ankles she reached down and lifted him to look him square in the eyes. "Why is it every time I see him my heart speeds up Raijin?"

Raijin just stared at her then let out a soft meow as if to say he didn't know. Chuckling she snuggled him into her arms and absently began petting his soft coat. Slowly the smile fell away as sense of emptiness filtered through her body, "And yet it doesn't feel like he loves me."

Blinking back the tears suddenly burning her eyes she hugged him close and buried her face in his fur, "I used to see love in his eyes a long time ago but now there's nothing but desire tinged with a stifling possessiveness... What happened to us Raijin?"

Raijin just continued to purr, the rumble against her chest soothing the ache in her heart. Sighing, she gave him one last hug and set him down. Today she would have to find out the answer to that question. Find out if he really did love her or if he only wanted her as one more person he could control. Scowling she rubbed her forehead, really it was too early in the morning to be worrying about this.

Shoving the thoughts from her mind she wandered over to the dressing table and collected everything she needed to begin the day. Heading into the bathroom she stripped and started the shower. Stepping into the warm water she set to washing away the sleepiness still lingering then lathered up her hair with the jasmine scented shampoo Enishi always kept in here for her. Closing her eyes to keep the suds out of them she lost herself in the scent, the aroma soothing her confused soul. Unbidden an image of her fiery haired visitor floated to the surface, a feeling of love whispering over her skin.

Gasping she popped her eyes open but not before she saw again the love swirling his violet gaze. Shaking her head she tried to push the image away but this time it wouldn't go. It remained imprinted on her eyes, the feeling of love strengthening even more the harder she tried to push it way. A scowl on her face, she quickly rinsed her hair and shut off the shower. Stepping out into the fogged bathroom she dried and dressed in the black jeans and tanktop she'd grabbed trying desperately to push the feeling away. Kami if this kept up she would go insane... and yet for the first time in a long time she felt... loved.

Shaking her head again she wiped the mirror and started drying her hair. Maybe someday she would see him again and see if what she felt was real. Until then she had Enishi, he was here and he was real. But would she ever feel this way with Enishi? Deep down she didn't think so. She'd never felt like this before. Not even when she'd first started dating him.

Sighing she combed her hair out and made her way back into the bedroom. This was too much to deal with right now. What she needed to do was go and find out what she was to Enishi. That's all that really mattered right now.

Tossing her sleeping yukata on the bed she headed for the door. She hesitated as her hand wrapped around the knob. Was she ready for this? Up until today she had never questioned him like this. What would he do? What would he say?

Taking a deep breath she steeled herself and opened the door. She stopped dead when her eyes met the intense turquoise gaze leveled on her, her heart threatening to pound its way out of her chest. Still shirtless he sat in the deep black chair facing her door, the look in his eyes enough to make her blood run hot through her veins. Getting a hold of herself she searched for some sign that he really did love her. Her blood cooled when all she saw was desire.

Unconsciously wrapping her arms around herself she walked into the livingroom and settled onto the sofa in front of the tea set on the table. Pouring herself a cup she curled up on the sofa trying to make herself as small as possible. She jumped when Enishi rose and made his way over to her. Settling down beside her he gathered her to his chest.

"I missed you last night. Did you sleep well in that bed?"

Kaoru fought down the blush creeping up her neck at the feel of his warm skin against her exposed arm. Tongue-tied all she could do was nod. Kami, how was she going to do this?

Shifting nervously she froze when Enishi's arms tightened around her. Slowly lifting her eyes to meet his she shied away from the possessiveness buried deep in them. Trying to pull away from him she stopped when all he did was tighten his hold.

"Where are you going?"

Kaoru just shook her head and shifted her eyes to her twisting hands. Damn, how was she going to do this? Taking a deep breath she let it out slowly and shifted enough to look him dead in the eye, "What am I to you, Enishi?"

Enishi's eyes narrowed, a small frown growing on his lips. Kaoru fought down the sudden nervous butterflies dancing in her belly as a hint of steel entered his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

Kaoru took a deep breath and steeled herself. "Do you love me or am I just another person you wish to control?" she blurted out as the butterflies intensified. There she'd said it, now it was up to him.

Watching him closely she was taken off guard when he leaned in and captured her lips, the gentleness of the kiss nearly bringing tears to her eyes. Falling into the warmth he offered she lifted her hand and buried it deep in his hair, holding him to her. Too soon he leaned back breaking the kiss. Coming back to her senses she met his eyes and blanched at the cold look swimming in their depths, the warmth instantly dying away.

"You are mine... now and forever. That's all you need to know."

With that Enishi released his hold on her and stood grabbing his shirt of the back of the sofa. Throwing it over his shoulders he started buttoning it up as he made his way to the elevator. Stunned all Kaoru could do was watch as he punched in the code and stepped in. A sudden surge of anger bubbled up and she shot off the sofa but stopped dead when her eyes met the icy gaze leveled on her, the smirk on his face cutting her to the core.

"I'll be back later."

Kaoru crumbled to the floor as she watched the doors slide shut with a thud. Hanging her head she let the tears come, no longer able to hold them back. Curling into herself she clutched her middle and rested her forehead on the soft carpet, her tears soaking into the black material unnoticed. How did she let it get this far? What had happened to them?

Falling to the side she curled up trying to hide from the truth of his words. She was nothing to him. Nothing but an ornament to be worn around his neck. Seen but never truly appreciated. Slowly out of the deepest recesses of her soul something rose up and balked at the treatment. An almost overpowering anger grew as she lay there motionless, the rage healing the wound in her heart. He couldn't do this to her. If he didn't want her as anything more than a trinket then it was time to leave. She deserved better than this.

Angrily wiping the tears away she sat up and glared at the closed doors. He had no right to treat her like this. This was it. She wasn't going to live like this anymore. When he took her home she wouldn't be coming back.

Ever.

oooooooooooooooooo

Eni shi just stared at Hei Shin as the information he'd just imparted slowly sank in. Gein had been bested by this so called Hitokiri Battousai? How the hell could that happen? Gein was the best in all of Japan. How the hell could he lose? Leaning back he closed his eyes and fought to control the nearly overpowering urge to kill something. It seemed this redheaded demon wanted a fight. No one left one of his men to die on his front step. No one.

Sliding his eyes back open he glared at the deathly pale man in front of him, his fingers tapping an angry tattoo on the desk. Taking a deep breath he tried valiantly to contain the urge to grab one of the katanas from the wall and drive it through his worthless subordinate's chest. "When did you find him?"

Hei Shin dropped his eyes to the floor and mumbled, "Three this morning." Wiping his sweaty palms on his pants he tried to shove the gruesome image out of his mind. He'd been doing the rounds when he'd come to the front doors and seen someone propped up against them in an awkward position. Surprised he'd immediately investigated and found a sight he thought he would never see. Gein had been sitting in a pool of his own blood, his chest sliced open, a huge gaping hole bleeding sluggishly in his shoulder, and the kanji for 'evil' carved into the untouched skin of his stomach. He'd left out that little part about the kanji when he'd told Enishi of his find. More than likely Enishi would kill him in his rage if he knew about the desecration of his best.

"Why wasn't I told until now?"

Enishi’s growl knocked him out of his thoughts. Lifting his eyes he fought down the sudden knot tightening in his gut. "You said never to interrupt you when your woman is here." He answered taking a step back. The instantly icy look leveled on him made his blood run cold and he readied himself for a hasty retreat.

Enishi nearly snarled at the idiocy of the statement. Taking a deep breath he rubbed the bridge of his nose and fought for control. "Don't you think the near death of one of my men would warrant the interruption?"

Hei Shin paled even more and nodded. Enishi almost snorted at the look of abject terror on his face. "Where is he?"

"I called the ambulance as soon as I found him. He's at University Hospital."

Sitting back he pinned Hei Shin with a hard look, "I -" He was suddenly cut off when the phone rang. Scowling he grabbed it and hit the talk button, "What?"

The unexpected voice of one of his men in Osaka filled the earpiece, "Boss Tanaka's been arrested."

"What!" Enishi spit out, his hand tightening around the phone, the device creaking from the pressure.

"Last night Saitou Hajime raided the warehouse. Tanaka happened to be there checking over the latest shipment. He and all who were there were arrested. What do you want us to do?"

The phone groaned as Enishi's fist tightened even more. God could this day get any worse! "Don't do anything. I'll deal with Saitou myself."

"Hai"

As the man hung up Enishi's fist tightened even more, the phone bursting into tiny little bits. Tossing the pieces on the desk he stood and turned to the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city. Saitou had gone too far this time. Who the hell did he think he was going up against them? He'd never killed a cop before but Saitou was walking a very fine line right now. One more misstep and Saitou would find himself with a katana through the heart or a bullet in the head.

Getting a hold of himself he glanced over his shoulder. A smirk tickled the corner of his lips at the terrified look on Hei Shin's face. The man looked about ready to wet himself. "Change my flight. I will be leaving as soon as the opening is over. You will remain here with Kaoru." Grabbing the back of the chair he settled back down into it and pushed the shattered remnants of his phone into the garbage. "Due to this new development she will not be leaving the building. While I am gone she is not to leave the apartment. Do you understand?"

Hei Shin nodded, a rush of relief flooding through his body. He would take being a babysitter over death any day. Turning to leave he was almost to the door when Enishi spoke up again.

"Where's Genbu?"

Hei Shin turned back around, "He arrived in Beijing early this morning. He's currently hunting them down. They will not live the day."

Enishi nodded and waved him out. Settling back into the chair he swung it around to face the windows. Well at least one thing was going right. He still couldn't believe he'd missed those two but really it didn't matter. What mattered was they would be dead. His revenge for Tomoe and Akira's death would be complete.

Sighing he reached behind him and withdrew the battered photo tucked in his top drawer. Glaring at the face of his new enemy he smirked. As soon as he returned from Osaka this man was going to have his undivided attention. It was too bad he couldn't go and slice him into tiny bits right now but unfortunately there were others who needed his attention. But soon, very soon this man would feel the full brunt of his anger.

Smiling he swung back around and dropped the photo on the desk. Pushing out of the chair he headed for the door. It was time to go tell his princess that she wouldn't be going home today or anytime soon for that matter. She was going to remain here until this so called assassin was dead. It seemed the one this man was truly after was Kaoru. There was no way in hell he was going to let him have her.

oooooooooooooooooo

Kaoru paced the apartment for what felt like the hundredth time. Glancing at the clock again she groaned. Eleven-thirty. Where the hell was Enishi? He knew she wanted to go home so what the hell was taking him so long. Shaking her head she sighed, she knew what it was. He didn't care if she wanted to go home or not, he would only take her when he deemed it was time.

Scowling she wandered over to the black chair Enishi had vacated hours ago and collapsed. Snuggling deep into it's softness she focused her attention on the object in her fingers and sighed. This was it. When Enishi dropped her off today she was going to return the ring to him and tell him it was over. It was time to break the chains he had somehow managed to wrap around her. The only thing that worried her was would he let her leave? Scrunching her nose she scowled, probably not that's why she had to wait until she was home. He wouldn't be able to make her stay if she was home with Sano.

A block of lead settled in her belly at the thought of bringing Sano into this mess. She didn't want to put him in danger. Enishi already hated him, who knew what he would do to Sano now. But there was no other way that she could see to get away from him. Brushing away the tear sliding down her cheek she pulled her legs up against her chest and rested her chin on them. Why hadn't she listened to Sano and broken away from Enishi a long time ago? Debt or not she didn't deserve to be treated like this.

The quiet hiss of the elevator coming to a stop snapped her out of her thoughts and she slipped the ring back on her finger. Pushing out of the chair she grabbed her clothes from the day before and headed for the elevator. She stopped dead when the doors slid open and Enishi stepped out into the livingroom, the look on his face screaming trouble. Taking another step she stopped again when a malicious smirk formed on his lips.

"Where do you think you're going my dear?"

Kaoru stood her ground and tried to ignore the tingle of fear whispering down her spine. Something was seriously wrong. "You're taking me home."

Enishi shook his head and continued into the apartment ignoring the glare slowly forming in her eyes. "No I'm not. You'll be staying here for a while."

Kaoru went rigid, all fear quickly burning away under an intense anger. Oh this was not happening. "No I'm not! You are going to take me home. You cannot keep me here against my will. I won't let you!" Shying away from the sudden rage snapping through Enishi's eyes, she took a step back as he came up to stand right in front of her. Maybe this time she'd gone too far.

"I can and will do whatever I wish with you. Didn't I tell you, you are mine."

Leaning in Enishi pinned her to the spot with an icy glare, "You will be staying here until I tell you you can go home. Which will not be until I return from Osaka. Do you understand?"

Kaoru just stared at him the rage ripping through her veins flaring even higher. He couldn't do this! She wasn't his slave! "You can't keep me here! I will get out of here one way or another! I'm not your goddamned slave!"

Enishi smirked and trailed his finger down her cheek. His smirk turned into a full blown smile when she flinched away from his touch. "How do you plan on getting out of here?"

When she didn't answer he leaned in even more and trailed his finger under her chin, lifting her face he nearly laughed at the death glare she was leveling on him, "There is no way for you to leave unless I leave with you. And don't think your precious friend Sagara will be able to 'rescue' you. If he comes within a hundred feet of this place I'll kill him, so I suggest you call him and tell him you've decided to stay here."

The block of lead weighed even more as Kaoru stared at him horrified. He wouldn't. And yet as she looked deep into the predatory gaze leveled on her she saw the truth. He would. He would kill Sano without a second thought if he came here to get her. Jerking away from him she fisted her hands and fought to keep from slamming them into his face. "You son of a bitch! You don't own me!"

"Ah but I do my dear. Never forget it." Enishi whispered leaning in to kiss her cheek. Turning on his heel he headed back to the elevator. Punching in the code he stepped in and turned to look at his sweet princess. The fire swirling in her sapphire eyes set his heart to pounding madly against his ribs. Too bad he had business to attend to, it would be much more fun to continue this conversation. He had never seen her like this before, she was virtually radiating rage.

Reaching out he stopped the door from closing, "I'll be back in time to take you to the opening. Wait here like a good little girl until then, ok."

Kaoru's eyes widened at his tone and she reached for her tea cup sitting innocently on the table beside her. Wrapping her hand around it she flung it at the closing doors with everything she had. The cup connected with the doors just as they slide closed, the crash resounding around the empty apartment. A knot tightened in her gut and she collapsed to the floor hugging her middle. Never in a million years did she think he would use the debt against her. God what had happened to the Enishi she used to love?

Taking a deep breath she pushed off the floor and glanced at the clock. A quarter to twelve. She had fifteen minutes to get herself together and call Sano. There was no way in hell she was going to let him come here. She would get out of this mess one way or another on her own. She wasn't going to let him die because of her stupidity.

Reaching for the phone she counted to ten and did her best to settle herself. Now was the test, would she able to lie well enough to keep him away. She had to, if she didn't he would be killed for no reason other than the fact that he wanted to protect her. She couldn't let that happen.

She could do this. She could make him believe.

oooooooooooooooooo

Kenshin paced the livingroom like a caged animal, his nerves fraying a little bit more with each passing minute. Glancing again at the clock on the wall he sighed. 6:10pm. Less than an hour to go. Brushing his hand over his face he sighed again and settled on the sofa. Pacing wasn't going to do anything for the almost overpowering sense of urgency pulsing through his veins.

It had been an extremely long day. Ever since Sano had come to tell him Kaoru wouldn't be coming home he'd been on edge. For some reason he didn't think her staying at Enishi's was by her choice no matter what Sano said. Something just wasn't right about that. Sano had sworn that she'd sounded fine and she'd assured him that she was only staying because she and Enishi needed to catch up on lost time. For some reason he couldn't shake the feeling that that had been nothing but a lie to keep Sano from going there to get her himself. Something was going on, he could feel it.

Shaking his head he stared at floor. Another thing that had him on edge was the fact that he couldn't quite figure out the nearly overpowering rage that had gripped a hold of him even before Sano had come to tell him. It had been such a powerful feeling that he'd broken the tea cup he'd been holding at the time. He could still feel the shards biting into his palm where his hand had suddenly tightened shattering it into tiny pieces, although all evidence had long since vanished. There were still a few small pieces of the cup lying at his feet that he must have missed when he'd cleaned the mess up.

Reaching down to pick them up he stopped as a knock came from the door. Smiling he pushed off the sofa he glanced at the clock. It was time.

Grabbing his jacket he headed for the door, taking a deep breath to settle his nerves he swung it open.

"You ready?"

Kenshin smirked at the smile on Sano's face, "Yes, I've been ready."

Sano's smile widened. Giving his old friend a sly look he asked, "You sure you're ready to face them?"

Kenshin's smirk blossomed into a full blown smile, his eyes flickering gold for a split second before settling back to their customary violet, "Yes."

Nodding Sano had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. Spinning on his heel he headed for the elevator. One didn't need to be a rocket scientist to see that the former assassin was on edge. The gleam in his eyes said it all.

Tonight was going to be very interesting.

oooooooooooooooooo

Kaoru stepped from the car and smoothed the front of her black dress nervously. Breathing deeply she tried to get a hold of herself, the nearly suffocating presence of Enishi on one side of her and Hei Shin on the other making it hard to get enough air into her deprived lungs. Ever since their argument this afternoon she'd had to suffer Hei Shin's presence. Shortly after Enishi had left the little weasel had shown up staying the whole afternoon while Enishi had been gone. It was bad enough he had her trapped but now it seemed he wasn't going to leave her alone. Not even in an apartment she couldn't get out of.

"Are you ready my dear?"

Kaoru jumped as Enishi's voice suddenly cut through her thoughts. Sending a glare at him she nodded and without a word headed for the door. Might as well get this night over with.

Enishi smirked as he watched her head for the door, her ramrod straight back screaming her irritation. Shifting his eyes to Hei Shin he pinned the man with a hard look, "You will stay here. Notify me if you receive any information from Genbu." Not waiting for an affirmation he strode towards Kaoru and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Smile my dear. Tonight is your night."

Kaoru just glared at him and moved to the door. Stepping into the gallery she did smile when she saw all of her hard work displayed for all to see along the wall, the quiet broken only by the whispers of the people wandering through the gallery. A sudden surge of pride bubbled up as her eyes drifted over all the paintings. Seeing them here she had admit they were quite beautiful. Until this moment she'd never seen them as being worthy of such a display.

"Ah, Kamiya-san. So good to see you again. Does the display please you?"

Smiling Kaoru shifted her attention to the small man weaving his way around the guests. Her smile widened as he finally reached her, dropping a bow she righted herself and accepted the hand held out to her, "Hai Takeshi-san it's more than I ever expected it would be. Thank you."

The small man blushed at the compliment and Kaoru tried with all of her might to not give him a hug. He reminded her so much of her father that it hurt sometimes.

All of a sudden he released her hand like a hot potato and blushed even deeper. Kaoru bit her tongue to keep from laughing. She still couldn't figure out how this man come to own this small gallery. He was so shy that the slightest smile sent his way had him stuttering.

She watched as he nervously shifted his attention to Enishi, "Welcome Yukishiro-san, is everything to your liking?"

When no answer came Kaoru glanced up then squeaked in shock as Enishi's arm wrapped around her back, his hand gripping her side in a vise grip. Following his line of sight she nearly choked when her eyes fell on the painting of the amber-eyed man of her dreams sitting innocently on an easel on a small raised area in the corner. Oh god she didn't...

Enishi's hand tightened even more, the pressure weakening her knees. Pulling her eyes from the painting she fixed them back on the curator avoiding Enishi's eyes all together. "Wh..Where did you get that?"

Glancing to what they were looking at he smiled, "A young black-haired woman dropped it off yesterday. I never knew you did portraits. May I ask who he is?"

Kaoru grimaced as Enishi's hand tightened even more his tone weakening her knees even more, "Yes my dear, Who.Is.He?"

God if things weren't bad enough already. Misao was going to die for this! Ignoring him she frantically searched the gallery for a way out of the questioning she knew was coming. She nearly sighed in relief when she spied Megumi heading their way. Yanking out of his hold she glanced up at him, "I don't know." Not waiting to see his reaction she made a beeline straight for her savior.

"Kaoru!" Megumi said smiling as she gave Kaoru a small hug. "You have really outdone yourself. When did you start doing portraits?" Glancing over her shoulder a sly smile came to her lips. "You have to tell me who he is. He's absolutely gorgeous."

Kaoru just shook her head. How the hell was she going to explain this? Sighing she dug up the best smile she could, "I don't -"

She stopped when she saw Megumi's attention shift behind her. "Is that him?"

Glancing over her shoulder Kaoru nearly fainted when her eyes met the violet gaze fixed on her. Her world suddenly narrowed as everything else fell away, all of her attention trapped in that intense gaze.

"What's he doing with Sano?"

Snapping back to herself Kaoru shook her head and let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Forcefully breaking eye contact with the man of her dreams she finally noticed Sano standing next to him. A sudden surge of anger ripped through her veins at the smirk on his face. So he didn't know anyone with bright red hair huh? Granted this man didn't have amber eyes but for a second she could have sworn she'd seen gold filter into his violet gaze before vanishing.

Scowling at her so called best friend she started towards them but came up short when her eyes clashed with Enishi's who stood just to the side and behind them. A cold wave of fear slid through her veins as he shifted his eyes to the redheaded man, a look of pure hatred marring his features. God, could this get any worse?

"Kaoru!"

Kaoru jumped as the squeal suddenly broke the tension unnoticed by those around her. Glancing to the door she sighed when she saw Misao and Aoshi heading her way. Ignoring everyone else she leveled a hard glare on her friend. "Why is that painting here?"

Misao came to a sudden halt with a sheepish grin on her face. "I brought it because it's one of the best you've ever done." Shying away from the hard look leveled on her she added, "Who cares what Enishi thinks. It deserves to be here!"

Kaoru just shook her head. Misao just didn't understand. Taking a deep breath she tried to settle her nerves and smile. "Next time do me a favor and ask me first ok?"

Misao sighed in relief as she grabbed a hold of Kaoru giving her a big hug. "Ok, I promise." Leaning back she fixed a serious look on her, "Is everything ok with you Kaoru? You haven't had any problems have you?"

"Kamiya-san it's time for your introduction. Would you please follow me?"

Putting on what she hoped was a convincing smile Kaoru nodded, "Yes everything’s ok." Turning to the curator she asked, "Where would you like me to go?"

Takeshi-san smiled and pointed towards the raised dais with the damning portrait. Ignoring the sudden butterflies dancing around her belly she swallowed and headed toward the dais. Coming to the painting she could feel all eyes trained on her, her skin suddenly crawling from all the attention. Fixing her eyes on the golden gaze looking out from the canvas she did her best to get control of herself, the image before her settling her nerves some. Ok, now this was the real reason why she didn't want to be here. If there was anything she hated it was being the center of attention.

Well, it had to be done so she might as well get it over with. Taking a deep breath she stepped onto the platform and turned. Immediately her eyes found the redheaded man, her face flushed a deep red at the look on his face. She blushed even deeper when his eyes moved from her to the painting beside her, the smile blossoming on his lips setting her heart thumping against her ribs. She ducked her head as his eyes once again shifted to her a new light gleaming in their violet depths. Ignoring everything but the grains of wood beneath her feet she jumped when Takeshi-san cleared his throat right beside her. She forced herself to look up as a hush fell over the room, extremely self conscious of all the eyes trained on her.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the young woman who has brightened this world with the beautiful pieces of art now gracing the walls of this humble gallery. Please welcome Kamiya Kaoru."

Kaoru bowed and flushed even deeper as applause filled the small gallery, a few people coming up to the dais to bow and whisper how much they enjoyed her work. Swallowing around the lump in her throat she tried to get control of herself and stepped from the dais to mingle with the people coming to surround her answering their questions and smiling, doing her level best not to pass out.

Her heart jumped when a hand grabbed her arm and then Sano's voice came from just behind her. "Excuse me but I need to speak with this young lady for a moment."

Kaoru sighed in relief, leave it up to Sano to rescue her. Turning around she nearly choked when her eyes clashed with violet again.

"Kaoru, this is a friend of mine from Okinawa, Himura Ke -"

"Shinta... my name is Himura Shinta."

Startled Sano cocked an eyebrow and eyed Kenshin. He finally understood when his old friend shot a quick glance at him. He couldn't use his other name, not yet at least. Checking Kaoru's reaction he smirked when he noticed she could care less if he was there. Giving Kenshin a small nod he quickly scanned the gallery for Enishi. He smiled when he didn't find him. Well at least they would have a few minutes before Enishi found them.

Staying close enough to stop anything that might happen should Enishi find them he moved far enough away to allow them the privacy he knew Kenshin wanted. Spying Megumi only a few feet away he sauntered over to her with a smile. His smile widened when she noticed him and leveled a glare on him that would kill most men in their tracks. Chuckling to himself he continued anyway. Oh this was going to be fun. She was his, she just didn't remember it yet.

oooooooooooooooooo

Kaoru just stared at the redheaded man as Sano walked away. The room slowly fading around her again, leaving the two of them in a space without time. Unable to do anything but stare into the violet eyes that had haunted her in her dreams one thought slowly penetrated her fogged mind, now was her chance. Now was her chance to find out if he really was the person from her dreams or just someone who looked exactly like him.

Hesitantly reaching out she traced the cross shaped scar on his cheek with a shaking finger. "Are you really...real?"

He smiled at her question and her heart swelled, the sight bringing a smile to her own lips. Trailing her finger along the scar again she felt an unexplainable heat spread through her entire body at the contact. Blushing she started to pull away but stopped when his hand covered hers holding her palm against his cheek. "Yes, I'm real," he whispered his voice resonating through her entire body. Her eyes widened when he leaned in to mere inches of her face, his breath whispering across her lips, "Can you feel it now that we are so close?"

Kaoru just stared at him and then she felt it, a sudden feeling of love wrapping around her like a soft blanket, caressing her very soul. Her eyes widened when she felt a strong sense of completeness flow through her body, every pore in her body suddenly tingling with the sensation.

"Y..yes I can," she breathed barely able to put voice to words. Cocking her head to the side she whispered, "What is it?"

Her breath caught as his smile widened. "Its how I feel about you, my sweet Kaoru. This is us linked forever."

Kaoru just looked at him confused, "What do yo-"

She was cut off when a heavy hand landed on her shoulder, the grip biting into her flesh. Knocked out of the spell cast over her she glanced over her shoulder and paled. Enishi stood behind her, his hate-filled gaze leveled on the man currently holding her hand. Wrenching her hand away she tried to turn but Enishi's grip tightened even more, the scowl on his face deepening. The air thickened suddenly, the heaviness making it very hard to breathe.

"Yukishiro, let her go."

"Shut up Sagara" Enishi bit out barely able to stop himself from driving his fist into the idiot's face. Continuing to stare at the supposed hitokiri before him he pulled Kaoru away, "Touch her again and I will kill you."

Kenshin just smiled his eyes flickering gold. His smile widened as he watched Enishi's eyes narrow dangerously, "You cannot stop what is coming. Not this time."

Enishi's grip tightened and a small squeak of pain escaped Kaoru. Loosening his hold slightly he pulled her further away and turned her towards the door. "We're leaving."

"She's not leaving with you Yukishiro. She's coming home." Sano growled.

Shifting his attention to Sano, Enishi smirked. "She will not be going home anytime soon. You may go back to where ever you came from. I will take care of her."

Kaoru flinched, the words cutting deep into her soul. Glancing around she paled even more when she noticed the gallery had gone completely quiet, everyone's attention trained on them. Kami, she had to stop this before it got out of hand. Reaching out she touched Sano's arm to catch his attention "I'm going to go home with him ok? I'm sorry I didn't get to visit with you longer." Wrenching her shoulder out Enishi's hand she hugged Sano tight fighting back the tears burning her eyes, "Have a safe trip home. I'll talk to you again soon."

With one last look to the man she now knew was her soulmate she spun on her heel and headed for the door, the tears burning her eyes making it hard to see. Stepping out into the cool night air she took a deep breath, the fresh air settling her nerves and got control of herself. Kami, that had been too close. Heading to the car she slipped into the back seat ignoring Hei Shin all together.

Scowling Enishi glared at the small redheaded man one last time and turned to follow Kaoru. Taking one step he stopped when he felt an almost overpowering anger brush against his skin, the feeling suddenly igniting the rage he tried to keep buried. Turning back around the world suddenly vanished as his eyes clashed with the gold tinged violet gaze leveled on him. His breath caught as an image of this man holding Tomoe's broken form in his arms flickered before his eyes, her life’s blood seeping sluggishly out of the wound in her shoulder. He watched transfixed as she whispered something to him then lifted a blade to cut his cheek before she took her last breath.

Snapping out of the vision Enishi just stared at the man before him, a hatred unlike anything he'd ever felt before pounding through his veins. Taking the one step back towards his nemesis he growled, "Who are you?"

"Y..Yukishiro-san, is everything ok?" Takeshi-san asked from right beside him. Pulling his attention away he glanced at the curator, the look of fear in the man's eyes cooling his blood some. Ignoring the question he fixed his attention back on the object of his hate and whispered, "I will be seeing you again."

Kenshin narrowed his eyes, a sliver of fear shivering down his spine. What had just happened? Searching the turquoise gaze leveled on him he nearly sighed when all he saw was an irritated confusion. Smirking he nodded, "Yes, we will be seeing each other again."

Enishi just nodded and spun on his heel heading for the door. If only he had the time tonight, he would finish this thorn in his side. He didn't like the fact that this man was going to be in the same city as Kaoru without him here. For that reason alone he was tempted to take her with him but he couldn't because he wasn't exactly sure what he'd be facing in Osaka.

Scowling he strode out the door and headed straight for the car. Slipping in beside Kaoru he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, the scowl fell away under a smile at the defeated look on her face. By the looks of it he didn't need to worry, she wouldn't try anything while has was gone. The little spitfire he'd seen this afternoon had been tamed. Settling into the seat he waved to Hei Shin to start the car and leave.

"That was very smart of you my dear."

Kaoru just shook her head and glanced out the window. Her heart sped up as her eyes settled on Shinta standing just inside the door. She fought back the tears again as the feeling of completeness melted away to be replaced by an almost unbearable sadness. She had found him, she had found the other half of her soul but to pursue that meant putting him in danger and she couldn't do that. It would be better if she just forgot about him. He would be safer that way.

A lead weight settled in the vicinity of her heart at the thought and she leaned her forehead against the cool glass as the car pulled away. How could her life have gotten so screwed up? What had she done to warrant Enishi's obsessed attention?

oooooooooooooooooo

Kenshin watched the car pull away, the look of utter loss on Kaoru's face cutting him to the core. Fisting his hand he tried to fight down the rage still pulsing through his veins. So he'd been right. She wasn't staying with Enishi of her own free will.

"So what are you going to do?"

Desperately needing to clear his head Kenshin shook his head and stepped out into the crisp night air, “I don't know. I will have her, but I will not put her in danger again."

Shaking his head again he sighed, "At least it doesn't look like either of them have had their memories return yet." Stepping further out onto the sidewalk Kenshin ran his fingers through his bangs and stared down the street in the direction they had left. Why did it have to be this way? Why couldn't he simply take the one he had longed for for so long into his arms and tell her the one thing he had waited so long to tell her?

Sighing again he pushed the unanswerable questions from his mind and reached into his pocket. Removing his wallet he flicked it open and handed Sano a wad of bills. "Will you do me a favor and go buy that portrait for me. I don't care what it costs, I want it."

Sano nodded and collected the money from his outstretched hand. "What will you do now?"

Not taking his attention from the deserted street Kenshin shrugged. "Go home. That's all I can do right now."

Ignoring the concerned look on Sano's face Kenshin turned on his heel and started walking down the sidewalk in the opposite direction, his heart getting heavier with each step away from Kaoru. Now he knew she wanted to be with him but how to get her away from Enishi? That was the question. There had to be a way without putting her in danger, he had to find the answer and he had to find it soon before anything more happened. He couldn't risk the possibility that her memories would return before she truly trusted him. Not to mention Enishi. Tonight he had seen it, the slight flicker of recognition that had danced in his enemy’s eyes. He now knew that it was very good possibility Enishi would remember.

It had become a race against time now. But would he win or would Enishi repeat the same mistake he'd made so long ago?

All he could do was hope he would be fast enough.

*hangs head* Sorry for yet another cliffy, I'm really trying to stop that.

Also please review, I love to know what my readers think be it good, bad or indifferent.