Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ The Last Straw ( Chapter 12 )

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

Disclaimer - I don't own RK


Chapter 12 - The Last Straw

Sano smiled as Megumi paced the small waiting room for the fourth time. So far she'd done everything short of physically throwing him out the door to get him to leave, and yet she hadn't really put any force into the threats of death and dismemberment today like she had last night. It seemed he was starting wear down her defenses. It wouldn't be too much longer before she accepted her fate. Tucking himself further into the chair his smile widened at the glare she threw at him.

"What are grinning at roosterhead? And where the hell is Kaoru?! She should have been back by now." Striding across the room she came to stop right in front of him, "I swear if she isn't back in the next fifteen minutes I am going to take your head."

Sano just continued to smile at her, "I'm sure she and Shinta are fine. Quit worrying about them." When all she did was glare at him he added, "Trust me, she will be just fine."

Megumi snorted and glanced out the door to where the black Mercedes sat in the afternoon sun. A sudden wave of fear slid through her veins at the sight of the obviously empty car. Snapping her eyes back to Sano she reached down and grabbed his shirt hauling him to his feet, "Then tell me where her watchdogs are?"

Sano eyes widened at what she implied and he yanked himself out of her hand. Spinning around he just stared at the empty Mercedes across the street, his stomach instantly knotting. Oh, this was not happening. Vaulting over the chair he threw open the door and scanned the sidewalk for any sight of Kaoru's dogs. Not seeing them he took off in a sprint towards the park, a hundred possibilities flying through his head and none of them good. He came up short when he saw Kaoru walking slowly towards him with her head down, Enishi's dogs following just behind. A smug grin twitched the corner of Hei Shin's lips as he slid his eyes from him to Kaoru and back.

Taking a step forward Sano fisted his hand and weighed the possibility of taking the little weasel and his brute squad out. Smiling he saw that indeed it would be quite possible. He wasn't the reigning kickboxing champion for nothing. He could do it. Cracking his knuckles he readied himself and settled on his plan of attack. Brute one first then brute two followed by the little weasel, shouldn't take him more than a minute. Smirking he took a step forward. He stopped short as Kaoru looked up, the look of angry determination lingering in the depths of her eyes making him hesitate. The slight shaking of her head kept him where he was and he just stared into her sapphire gaze as she slowly made her way towards him.

"Don't Sano."

"But -”

"No!" Kaoru growled walking past him towards the clinic, "Just leave it to me."

Reaching out he grabbed her shoulder before she was fully past him, "What about Shinta?"

Kaoru sighed and pulled away from his grip, "He left before they found me.... but they know." Not waiting for his reply she continued past him and headed into the clinic, her shoulders drooping under the incredible strain of trying to keep her temper. That little bastard would be on the phone to Enishi within the hour, she was sure of it.

Sickened by the thought she silently walked past Megumi and headed into her office. Collapsing bonelessly into the chair she leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling. She'd been right. There was no way today could go off without a hitch. The real question was how the hell did they know she was gone? How could they? Sighing she flung her arm over her eyes. What did it matter? All that mattered was that they had. Now all hell was going to break loose. Enishi wasn't going to let this slide. She knew him too well to think he would simply turn a blind eye to her infraction, especially since he seemed to think he owned her.

Thank god he was in Osaka. She didn't think he would come back early just for this, but who knew what he would do when he did get back. Christ he'd already stolen what little freedom she had, what more could he do? Sighing she smiled ruefully, oh there was more. He could simply lock her up in the apartment like some princess. Shaking her head at the thought she tried to convince herself that he wouldn't do that. But the sad thing was, she could now see him doing it.

Swallowing around the lump suddenly lodged in her throat she realized that the idea she'd been toying with for the last month might be her only way to get out of this mess. But to do that meant to leave everything behind; she would have to leave her entire life behind in order to get away from him.

Sickened by the thought she angrily wiped away the tear that spilled from the corner of her eye. No, she wasn't going to do that unless he didn't give her any other choice. She wasn't going to let Enishi steal her life. She would find another way. She still had time, she would find another way to leave him.

oooooooooooooooooo

Sano scowled and glared at the little weasel smirking in front of him as Kaoru quietly walked past him into the clinic, his fist itching to plant itself into the little man's smug grin. Taking a deep breath he took one menacing step towards Enishi's head dog. He almost laughed at the look of fear that slid across his enemy's face. Leaning in he stopped when he was within inches of the little weasel, "It would be in your best interest not to tell Yukishiro about this. Should anything happen to Kaoru I will personally rip you apart... with my bare hands. Do you understand?"

Hei Shin just stared at him and then grinned. "Enishi will know of this. She is his woman after all. I suggest you stay out of this, he's already a bit tense. I would hate to see him have to dirty his hands on the likes of you." With that the little man pushed passed him and headed towards the Mercedes. Sano glared after him and took a deep breath in an effort to calm the beast aching to rip the little son of a bitch apart.

Spinning on his heel Sano tried to swallow around the lump in his throat and slowly made his way to the clinic. This wouldn't have happened if he'd kept a closer eye on her watchdogs. But no, instead he'd decided to chase the fox leaving the weasel ample time to nose around.

Opening the door he stepped into the clinic and came to a dead stop as his eyes fell on Megumi, the frown on her face enough to make him take a step back. Crossing her arms Megumi stalked up to him and just glared at him, "I think you should leave, you've done enough already don't you think?"

"But -”

Megumi shook her head and took another step towards him, "No. Leave her alone right now."

Sano sighed and nodded. "Tell her I'll be back tomorrow and tell her if anything happens I'm at her apartment if she needs me, ok?"

When Megumi nodded he turned and headed back out into the late afternoon sun. Glaring at the now full Mercedes he shoved his hands into his pockets and started weaving his way down the crowded sidewalk, dreading what he had to do now. Kenshin wasn't going to take this news well, of that he was sure.

Megumi watched Sano leave then made her way to Kaoru's office. Thank god she didn't have any patients this afternoon; she didn't think Kaoru would be up to dealing with people. Knocking lightly on the door she stepped into the dimly lit office, "Kaoru?"

A soft sigh was her only answer as Kaoru dropped her arm and looked at her with worn eyes. Whatever was going on was starting to take its toll on her friend. If this kept up Kaoru wouldn't be an assistant, she'd be a patient. Stepping further into the office she stopped right in front of the paper littered desk, "Why don't you go home. It's quiet today so I really don't need you."

Kaoru gave her a half smile and shook her head as she leaned forward to shuffle the completed documents into a neat pile. Setting them aside she grabbed the next patient's records and started entering the data, "No, I would much rather stay right here. Hei Shin is staying in the apartment with me and I would rather stay here entering all this than spend one minute more than I have to with that little weasel."

"Kaoru what's going on? Why aren't you at home?"

Kaoru just shook her head and continued typing, "It's a long story."

Megumi shrugged, "I've got -” She stopped short as the front door opened the sniffling of a child drifting down the hallway.

Megumi scowled as Kaoru chuckled, “You were saying..."

Sighing in defeat Megumi turned and headed out, stopping just inside the door she glanced back over her shoulder, "This isn't over. You're going to tell me one way or the other."

Kaoru just smiled and turned her attention back to the computer screen, "I know I will."

As Megumi headed out into the waiting room Kaoru gave herself fully to the task of getting the last few files entered. She had to get this done; she'd promised Megumi she'd get these all in. She wasn't going to leave her friend in a bind if Enishi did what she feared he would.

oooooooooooooooooo

Enishi paced the small office, the cloying scent of stale cigarette smoke catching in his throat. Making another circuit around the room he stopped before the window and glared into the late afternoon sun falling over downtown Osaka. Scowling, he threw open the window in an effort to get some fresh air into his lungs. For the last hour he'd been made to cool his heels in this little spit of an office, waiting for the so called Wolf of Osaka to grace him with his presence. The photo of the smug looking black haired man staring back at him from the wall was starting to get on his nerves just a little. Today would be the first time he'd ever had to personally deal with the man known as the Wolf.

Up until six months ago the Osaka police had been under his thumb, along with all the stations in Tokyo and Kyoto. But then this man named Saitou Hajime had been transferred in and it seemed his only reason for living was to be a thorn in Tanaka's side. Unfortunately while Tanaka brought most of it on himself that didn't mean he could turn a blind eye on one his grandfather, the first Yukishiro Boss, had sworn to protect.

The sudden ringing of his cell phone snapped him back to the present and he reached into his pocket. Withdrawing it he glanced at the number. He quirked an eyebrow when he saw that it was Hei Shin again. What did he want? He'd already called once to inform him that Genbu had come back from Beijing empty-handed. It seemed the two remaining Triad men were the head's second in command and his brother. Unfortunately Genbu hadn't been enough to keep track of them once they'd realized they'd been targeted. It seemed he would have to track them himself after he finished with the other thorn in his side.

The phone trilled again and he flipped it open, hitting the talk button he asked, "What?"

Hei Shin's voice filled the ear piece. "We've got a problem."

Enishi smirked at the obvious distress in his second's voice. Whatever it was, it seemed Hei Shin really didn't want to tell him. "Really? What is it this time?"

A pause met his question and then, "Kamiya-san was found in the small park near the clinic having lunch with Himura Kenshin."

The smirk slowly fell from his lips as what Hei Shin had said slowly sank in. Stunned, Enishi's fist tightened and he fought the urge to drive it into the wall. "What did you just say?" he purred as an almost uncontainable rage flooded his veins.

"Kamiya-san left the clinic and met this Himura Kenshin for lunch in the park."

Enishi closed is eyes and focused all his attention on trying to keep himself calm. This was not the place to lose his temper. Taking a deep breath he went back to pacing the small office, "How did she manage to leave the clinic without you knowing?"

An audible swallow was his only answer then after several seconds of silence Hei Shin answered, "She left through the back door."

Enishi took a deep breath in a vain effort to cool his now boiling blood. He was surrounded by idiots. "Are you telling me that you and the twins didn't keep watch on the back door?"

He could almost see Hei Shin pale as a whispered "Hai" reached his ears. Stifling a sigh he rubbed his forehead and did his best to get himself back under control. Obviously he couldn't trust anyone but Gein to keep a close eye on Kaoru, which meant that her privileges would now have to be revoked.

"Starting today she is not to go to work. She will remain in the apartment until I get back. Do you understand?"

A relieved "Hai" sounded in the earpiece and he scowled. Must be Hei Shin thought himself off the hook. A malicious smirk tickled the edge of Enishi's lips, not likely; he would save his punishment until he got back. The little weasel would pay for his incompetence. But then again, living day in and day out with Kaoru after she was told she couldn't leave the apartment might just be enough.

"Do you want me to let her know of your decision?"

Enishi's smirk widened into a smile, "Don't tell her. I'll call her myself this evening." Now that would be an interesting conversation. He almost wished he could be there in person to witness her rage. Another "Hai" sounded and then a click as Hei Shin hung up. Hitting the off button he flicked his wrist to close the phone and settled into the chair behind the desk. It seemed his princess wasn't as cowed as he'd originally believed, that would have to be remedied once he returned. It wouldn't do to have his soon to be wife entertaining other men, especially when said other man was already on his hit list.

Kicking his feet up on the desk he reclined in the chair and tapped his fingers against the arm. He really needed to finish his business here so he could go home. This Himura person needed to be taken care of and he needed to be taken care of now. He was almost tempted to call out Shishio. Next to Gein, Makoto was the second best assassin in all of Japan. The biggest difference between them was Gein could simply take out his target without leaving a trail. Shishio on the other hand wasn't as clean. He enjoyed the killing too much which usually left a big mess for him to clean up. And that really wasn't something he needed right now.

The slight creaking of the door swinging open snapped Enishi out of his thoughts. Glancing at the door he almost laughed when he saw the so called Wolf of Osaka standing in the doorway with a look that screamed his irritation at finding his chair occupied. A small smile tickled the corner of lips as the tall black haired man slammed the door and strode across the office to stand right in front of the desk.

"Get up."

Eyeing the man in front of him Enishi kicked his feet off the desk and slowly rose. Striding around the desk he dropped an insulting bow, "You must be the Wolf."

A small smirk tickled the corner of Saitou's lips and Enishi had to fight to keep his temper. He was in no mood to deal with some cop who thought himself indestructible. Saitou snorted in his face and walked around the desk to settle into the chair Enishi had just vacated. Scowling Enishi settled into the chair right in front and just stared at the man who had decided to make Tanaka's life hell.

Saitou glared at the so called Boss in front of him as he settled back and kicked his feet up onto the desk. Fishing out a cigarette he lit it and blew the smoke into the little upstart's face. "What do you want, Yukishiro?"

"Tanaka's release." Enishi stated in a tone that brooked no argument. He could already tell he and this cop were not going to get along. It was better to get this over and done with.

"And why would I do that? He's been arrested for the trafficking of illegal firearms."

Enishi fought the urge to roll his eyes, instead just stared at the man before him, "Because if you don't you may find yourself in a situation you won't be able to get out of."

Taking a drag of his cigarette Saitou dropped his feet on the floor and leaned forward, letting the smoke out slowly into his visitor's face he asked, "Is that a threat Yukishiro?"

Enishi fought the urge to wave the cloying smoke out of his face and smiled, "No. It's a promise."

Scowling, Saitou snorted and butted out the cigarette, "I suggest you leave and don't come back. Forget about Tanaka and stay out of Osaka or you will be joining him."

Enishi coughed to cover the laugh that tried to escape. Who the hell did this cop think he was? Fighting the urge to shake his head he pushed out of the chair, obviously this cop still had a lot to learn when it came to his territory. Tanaka was under his protection and even though he knew Tanaka had brought it on himself, Enishi would do anything for one of his own.

Leaning on the desk Enishi smiled into the face of his newest enemy, "Trust me, Tanaka will be released." With that he spun on his heel and headed for the door. What this cop didn't know was that his grandfather had built one of the best legal agencies in this part of Japan. Tanaka would be out by the end of the week. Sooner if he was lucky, he was really looking forward to getting back home.

It wouldn't be too much longer before he would have the pleasure of taking his frustrations out on a certain redhead. Not even this so called Wolf was going to keep him from his entertainment.

oooooooooooooooooo

Kenshin wiped the sweat from his brow and walked to the wall to deposit his bokken in the wall mount; grabbing a towel he mopped the sweat from his face. Glancing over his shoulder he had to smile at Yahiko who sat in the middle of the training room. For the last hour he'd been putting the boy through the moves of the last few katas of the Kamiya Kasshin Ru. Surprising enough, at eleven years old Yahiko was going to be the first in his family to master the Kamiya Kasshin Ru fully since his namesake over a hundred years ago. Smirking to himself he shrugged, but then again it shouldn't be all that surprising seeing as he was Yahiko's reincarnation.

Grabbing another towel he turned back around and threw it at the exhausted boy, "You did good. You only need to work on the last one."

A tired grunt was his only answer as Yahiko levered himself off the floor. Shuffling over to the wall he dropped his bokken in the holder and smiled, "Thanks Himura-san. Once I finish learning the Kamiya Kasshin Ru will you teach me your style?"

A shadow passed over Kenshin's face before he smiled his rurouni smile, "No. There is no longer any need for my style in this day and age. All you need to know is the Kamiya Kasshin Ru." With that he headed towards the main room leaving a very disappointed young man behind him. Ever since Yahiko was old enough to hold a bokken he'd asked to learn the Hiten Mitsurugi Ru, but Kenshin had vowed long ago that he would never teach anyone that style. Ever.

Wandering into the main room he stopped to watch the students walk through the early stages of the Kamiya Kasshin Ru, Satoshi at the front leading them through the elementary steps. If there was anything he was proud of in his life it was the fact that he'd managed to keep the Kamiya Kasshin Ru alive for the last one hundred and twenty eight years. It had been the one thing he would not let disappear. He wanted Kaoru to have this one thing to come back to. He knew when her memories returned she would once again be the master she had been when she'd died. She deserved to see her family's style live on.

The tinkle of the bell over the door brought him back from the past and he shifted his attention to the man striding into the dojo. He quirked an eyebrow as Sano walked straight to him with an unreadable expression on his face.

"We have to talk." Sano stated when he finally closed the distance between them. Kenshin's skin crawled at the tone with which he'd spoken. Something had happened and whatever it was, wasn't good.

With a nod he motioned Sano into the family training room. Spying Yahiko still in the room he waved him into the office and closed the door. Grabbing the chair behind the desk he settled into it and gave Sano his undivided attention. "What is it?"

Sano took a deep breath and settled into the chair across from him. Rubbing his forehead he blurted out, "Kaoru got caught."

Confused, Kenshin just stared at him and then slowly what he'd said became clear. Shocked, he flew out of the chair and headed for the door, his gut knotting into a tight fist. If Enishi knew... no this was not happening. Enishi couldn't find out about this. Inches from the door he was yanked to a halt when a strong hand locked on his shoulder in a vice grip, pulling him to a stop.

"What are you doing?" Sano asked as he pulled him away from the still closed door.

"I'm going to go get her." Kenshin bit out, yanking his shoulder from Sano's hand.

Sano shook his head, grabbing a hold of him again he stared straight into the now gold tinged violet eyes of his best friend. "No you're not. How are you going to explain to her why you're kidnapping her, hmm? Not to mention even if you managed to get her to come, you would have Enishi's entire organization after you with no hope of relief from the cops. You might want to think this through a bit more. "

Watching the gold slowly seep out of Kenshin's eyes he released the ex-hitokiri and settled back down into the chair. Watching as Kenshin did the same, he frowned at the horror tinged gaze fixed on him. He knew exactly how Kenshin felt. The very thought of what could happen should Enishi remember or even just find out about this sickened him. They had both believed they could get away with this. They should have known better.

Shoving the thought from his mind he settled back into the chair, "So now we need a plan. Jou-chan said he wouldn't be back for a week so that gives us a little time." Smirking he added, "I doubt he'll come back just because Kaoru's been a bad girl."

Kenshin tried to meet Sano's smile with one of his own but failed miserably. Sighing he rubbed his forehead in frustration, "I don't think he'll come back either. Not yet, at least. But then again that could change if he finds out she's planning on meeting me tomorrow." Feeling as if his hands were tied Kenshin slammed his fist into the desk, the wood creaking slightly under the pressure. The steady throb pounding through his hand helped to clear his head of the images of Kaoru's lifeless eyes staring accusingly at him. Images that had decided to swim up from the darkest reaches of his mind. Not again, that was not going to happen again.

"I want her away from Enishi this week. No matter what it takes I want her away from him." Kenshin stated knowing what he wanted was easier said than done. But there had to be a way, even if there wasn't he would make it happen. He had to.

Sano gave him a lopsided smile, "That's easier said than done. For one thing there's no way for her to come home without them coming to her apartment and taking her back... and there's no way just you and me could stop them. There's only two of us and hundreds of them. For another the apartment she is currently calling home is at the top of the building that houses Enishi's entire organization, not to mention the only way to get in is by an elevator with a special code."

Kenshin scowled as Sano listed off all the obstacles they would have to overcome to get her back. It didn't matter; he wasn't going to take any chances this time. If it came right down to it he would find the trigger to awaken her memories and use it. If she knew what Enishi had done in their previous life he seriously doubted she would stay with him. But the pain it would cause her...

Taking a deep breath he shoved the thought from his mind, no he wasn't going to do that unless he absolutely had to.

Settling back in the chair Kenshin closed his eyes and emptied his mind in an effort to come up with some other idea that would work. There had to be some way to get her back without starting a war with Enishi or triggering her memories. Taking several slow even breaths he was rewarded as slowly, out of the depths of his mind an idea started to form. A crazy and yet very tempting possibility rose to the surface. He could always kidnap her and disappear. Oh she would be angry at first but he knew she wouldn't fight him for long, of that he was sure.

Looking at the idea from all angles he couldn't see any holes. No one said they had to stay in Tokyo or Japan for that matter. The world was huge, he aught to know he'd been from one end of it to the other several times over the last one hundred and twenty eight years. A smile slowly slid across his lips as the plan gained strength. He could do this... they could do this. This was the answer he'd needed. Now all he had to do was make all the arrangements for the two of them to fall off the face of the earth. He knew it could be done, he'd done it enough over the years.

Sano watched quietly as the frown on Kenshin's face slowly turned up into a smile. "You've got a plan, don't you?"

Kenshin opened his eyes and nodded. "Yes, but I'm going to need your help." Glancing at the clock his smile widened, by this time tomorrow he and Kaoru would be gone. Enishi would never find them. Shifting his attention back to Sano he got up, "I need you to come with me to my apartment and then when I've given you everything you need I want you to go buy two plane tickets."

Sano quirked an eyebrow in confusion until what Kenshin had asked for slowly sank in and then he smiled, "You're going to disappear, aren't you? Not a bad idea, but what are you going to do about the dojo?"

Kenshin's eyes widened at the oversight and he deflated slightly at the obvious hole in his plan. If he left more than likely Enishi's thugs would come here and threaten his surrogate family. That was something he couldn't allow. Settling back in the chair he mentally went over what he could do, well he could ask Sano to watch the dojo for him but that would pit Sano against Enishi and his whole organization. Smiling ruefully he sighed, he couldn't do that. There was no way Sano could take them all and that left only one other option, close the dojo.

His gut tightened at the thought, he really didn't want to do that. For the last one hundred and twenty eight years he'd watched this dojo, taking care of it and the family that ran it. But that wasn't all, he knew there was no way Satoshi would let him close it. For the last forty years that short stocky man had taught the local boys and girls the secrets behind the sword that protected. Kenshin knew he wouldn't just give it up. Nothing short of death would stop him from being in that training room when class started.

Heaving a sigh he shook his head, it was either the dojo or Kaoru. For him it was no choice. "I guess I will simply leave it to Satoshi. He's a tough old man who isn't likely to let Enishi intimidate him, but would you do me a favor and take in Yahiko. I'm sure Satoshi will find it easier to take on Enishi if Yahiko isn't here to be targeted."

"Yeah, I can do that. I'm sure Katsu wouldn't mind another trainee."

Kenshin smiled, "Thanks, that'll help." Pushing out of the chair again he headed for the door, "I guess that's it. We have to get to my apartment so I can give you the necessary information for the tickets, then I'll come back here and tell Satoshi what's going on."

Sano nodded and rose, heading for the door he couldn't stop the smile growing on his lips. "I can't wait to see Enishi's face when he finds Kaoru gone. That's going to be good."

Kenshin just smirked and stepped into the family training room. Shaking his head he fought the urge to roll his eyes. Leave it up to Sano to be excited about that. Making his way out in to the main training room he stopped long enough to watch as the class finished off their last katas and separated into pairs to practice against each other. A slight twinge of regret rose as he watched a young black-haired girl no more than ten years old face off against a dark-haired boy. He really wished things could have been different, he'd always wanted to give Kaoru this dojo, but now it looked like he wouldn't be able to. At least not for the next sixty years or so.

Heaving a sigh he weaved his way to the door, pushing it open he stepped out into the late afternoon sun without a backwards glance. It didn't matter anymore. What really mattered was Kaoru and that was all. Only Kaoru.

oooooooooooooooooo

Kaoru stifled the sigh that tried to escape and followed behind Hei Shin as they headed into the glass faced building, her two other 'bodyguards' following close on her heels. Stepping into the foyer Kaoru blindly followed her keeper, trying to keep her belly from knotting into a fist. It had been an extremely long afternoon, it didn't help that she'd waited for the inevitable phone call to come. She knew Hei Shin must have informed him of her lunch date and yet she hadn't heard from Enishi at all which was strange, unless...

No. He wouldn't come all the way back here for this. At least she didn't think he would, but lately she couldn't predict him anymore. He'd changed so much in the last few days. She no longer knew him and it scared her. She grimaced as the knot of tension tightened even more. Swallowing she pushed the thought from her mind and instead came up behind Hei Shin as he punched in the code for the elevator. To her surprise she was greeted with the sight of him entering the last three numbers then he hit enter. Stepping back quickly she tried to make it seem as if she hadn't been anywhere near him. Casting a surreptitious glance over her shoulder she nearly sighed when she saw the twins stationed at the entrance. Thankfully it didn't look like either had been paying attention.

Secretly smiling she slipped into the elevator as it slide open with a hiss. Leaning against the wall she repeated the numbers in her mind as they ascended to the fourth floor. 9, 0, 7. But what was the first one? She searched her mind for some relationship between the numbers. Shrugging, she gave up and filed them away for later perusal as the elevator came to a slow stop, the doors sliding open to reveal a very empty apartment. Well at least he hadn't come home, that was something to be thankful for.

Without glancing at Hei Shin she stepped from the elevator and slipped off her shoes. Setting off into the livingroom she stopped when Hei Shin called her name.

"Kamiya-san"

Glancing over her shoulder she just stared at him as he reached out to stop the door from closing. "I have some business to take care of. I'll be back in an hour."

Kaoru scowled at him and then nodded. Well at least she would have some quiet time before she was trapped in the apartment with him again. Smiling she headed for her bedroom to change but stopped as Raijin wrapped himself around her ankles. Reaching down she hefted the big black cat into her arms and continued on into the bedroom. Absently petting his soft coat she tried to ignore the feeling that she shouldn't be here. This wasn't home. She'd never felt all that comfortable here as it was, and now being here without Enishi seemed to make her feel even less at ease.

Taking a deep breath to get a hold of herself she wandered over to the nightstand and withdrew the envelope of money from her jacket pocket. Gazing at the filled envelope she still couldn't quite believe he'd spent so much on that one painting, but she had to admit it was going to help. This was almost enough to cover what she owed Enishi. Now the question was, would he take it and let her leave. Scowling she shook her head, she seriously doubted it. Having a sigh she dropped the money on the table and set Raijin down. Shrugging out of her jacket she headed to the closet to grab a pair of jeans and t-shirt to change into.

Flexing her hands she grimaced and set about taking off her work cloths. Well, at least she'd been able to get all the files into the computer for Megumi. It had taken her almost all day to enter all the patients but thankfully it was done, she didn't have that to look forward to tomorrow when she got to work, scratch that...if she got to work. Scowling she shoved the possibility out of her mind. She would be at work tomorrow and she already knew what she was going to spend the morning doing. She'd spend it counting the minutes until she saw Himura-san... no Shinta again.

Smiling shyly she blushed at the thought of him. She had to admit that even though she'd been caught, and likely her life was going to get a little bit more stressful, she wouldn't trade lunch with him for anything. She'd already caught herself counting the hours until she would see him again. Kami, she was pathetic. Scrunching her nose up at herself she turned her attention to getting out of the skirt and blouse.

She jumped as the phone rang breaking into the quiet of the room. Tossing her blouse on the bed she dove for the phone and hit the talk button. "Hello?"

"Good evening my dear. Did you have a nice lunch?"

Kaoru felt the blood drain from her face as Enishi's voice whispered into her ear, his tone sending a shiver of dread down her spine. Swallowing she stuttered, "E...Enishi..."

A humorless chuckle drifted through the earpiece. "You sound surprised to hear from me"

Kaoru tried to swallow around the lump suddenly lodged in her throat. Here it comes; she almost wished he was here instead. She'd be able to read him better if she could see him.

"Um... no, I'm not surprised." A pause met her statement and she tried to fight down the growing sense of unease filtering through her veins. This wasn't good; she could tell by his voice that he was angry.

"Good." Enishi paused and then he came back on his voice little more than a whisper, "It seems Hei Shin isn't enough to keep you in line. Seeing as you seem to enjoy breaking my rules I've decided you will not be leaving the apartment until I get back... for anything. Do you understand?"

Kaoru's breath caught in her throat. Oh this was not happening! A sudden surge of anger exploded in her veins, her hand involuntarily tightening on the phone. "You can't stop me from going to work Enishi. I'm not your goddamned prisoner!!"

"No my dear, you're my princess. I will do whatever I wish with you and what I wish is to lock you up in my castle until the object of your affection is dead."

Kaoru could only listen dumfounded as Enishi took what little freedom she still had away, and then what he'd implied slowly soaked into her stunned mind. He fully intended on killing Shinta.

A knot of fear tightened in her gut. Sickened by the thought she didn't know what to say and then, "You son of a bitch. You can't just kill people! It's not his fault, it's mine! I'm the one who went with him!"

"That really doesn't matter. He has decided to pursue what is mine and he will die for it. So until I can take care of him you will not leave the apartment."

Kaoru's fist tightened even more as tears of anger began to burn her eyes. Enishi had lost it, he really had. Was there no end to his possessiveness? All of a sudden a wave of icy cold determination flooded through her veins. This was it, she couldn't take anymore. She had wanted to wait to tell him this face to face when he got back, but she wasn't going to sit back and let him continue to control her. "I want out Enishi. I can't take this anymore, I'm not your pawn. This isn't a relationship anymore, it's...it’s slavery!

Another chuckle echoed through the earpiece, the sound making her skin crawl. "I'm sorry my dear, that's impossible. You are mine... bought and paid for."

Kaoru nearly choked at the callous comment, her fist tightening even more, "You... you.... son of a bitch!! I am not bought and paid for!" The pain throbbing through her hand went unnoticed as she tried with all of her might to get back some semblance of calm. Taking a deep breath she added, "I have the money to pay you back. Let me go."

"No." Enishi stated in a voice that stopped her dead. And then he added, "Hei Shin has already been informed of my decision. I will be home the day after tomorrow." And with that Enishi hung up on her.

Kaoru's rage flared even higher as she brought the phone away from her ear and just stared at the hard black device, the drone of the dial tone starting to get on her nerves. That bastard didn't have the right! He couldn't keep her locked up here! In a fit of rage she flung the phone across the room and smiled as it slammed into the wall busting into a hundred pieces.

Feeling slightly vindicated by the destruction her smile dropped into a secret grin as she angrily wiped away the tears that had managed to escape. He may think she was trapped but what he didn't know was that she now had the means to leave. All she had to do was figure out the first number and she'd be able to walk out of here without a backward glance. She would disappear, he would never find her and maybe if she disappeared he wouldn't go after Shinta.

As if a light had turned on in her mind Kaoru saw the truth. Yes, if she disappeared Enishi wouldn't have any reason to target him.

An almost unbearable emptiness flooded through her body at the thought. Fisting her hands tight she dropped her head and tried to unravel the knot tightening in her gut. She really didn't want to leave but if she stayed Enishi would kill him and she couldn't let that happen. This way they would both be safe. Glancing back up at the envelope full of yen she almost laughed at the irony of the situation. With Shinta's money she would disappear, never to see him again.

Sickened by the thought Kaoru had to cover her mouth in an effort to keep from vomiting, the knot in her stomach tightening even more. Fighting back a wave of nausea she realized that maybe it wasn't a complete loss. If what Shinta said was true they would see each other again... if not in this lifetime then maybe in the next.

That thought did nothing to alleviate the sudden feeling of utter loss that washed over her. Falling onto the bed she curled into a ball and buried her face in her knees in an effort to stem the tears burning her eyes. What the hell had she done to deserve this?

Curling even tighter she realized she'd done nothing. Nothing but give her heart to a man who didn't deserve it. And now she had to take it back...

And she would whether he liked it or not.

oooooooooooooooooo

Yet another cliffy, sorry about that. This one isn't too bad though, at least I don't think so. Ok, now here is where I have to tell you the bad news, it doesn't look like chapter 13 will be out until mid-August. I'm going on vacation week after next so there will be no fic writing until after that but I will do my best to get 13 out as soon as I can. Promise.

Please review and let me now what you think.