Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ A Love Remembered ( Chapter 14 )

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

Disclaimer - I don't own RK


Chapter 14 - A Love Remembered

Enishi paced the small office like a caged animal, the rage simmering just beneath his skin growing a little bit more with each passing minute. He still couldn't believe it had happened. How the hell could one woman manage to slip away unnoticed by everyone in his organization? His building was impenetrable and yet somehow this tiny little slip of a woman had managed to evade all his security and slip into the city unseen by all.

Growling to himself he ignored the fearful looks cast at him by the two men sitting patiently in the office, awaiting further instruction. Continuing to pace he growled again, oh he knew how this had happened... he'd made a huge mistake when he'd left her with Hei Shin. It had been Hei Shin's last chance to prove himself worthy of the position of second... and he'd failed miserably. The little weasel would die when he got back to Tokyo, there was no question about that but right now what he needed to know was where she was.

Somehow she had managed to fall off the face of the earth... and she wasn't alone. No, she was with him. Fisting his hand he did his best to contain the nearly overpowering rage that surged to the surface. The very thought of the supposed hitokiri was enough to just about send him over the edge. Doing his level best to keep himself under control Enishi ignored the throbbing pain radiating up his arm from his white knuckled hand and continued to pace, the repetitive motion helping to keep him calm.

According to what Hei Shin had managed to drag out of the recently deceased Triad boss's second, she'd been 'rescued' from him and the boss's brother by none other than a man with fiery red hair and golden eyes. Enishi knew of only one man who fit that description. A malicious smirk played across his lips, once he was back in Tokyo he'd first finish off Hei Shin and the two Triad men and then the hunt would be on. No one had ever managed to evade him when he was on the hunt... no one. This Himura Kenshin would be found and he would die, Kaoru was his and his alone. She would never be anyone else's. Ever.

Grabbing the chair behind the desk he settled down and glared at the two men watching him warily. Unfortunately before he could put anything into motion he needed to finish his business here. So far Saitou had done everything he could to stop Tanaka's release but Enishi still had one more trick up his sleeve. There was no way Saitou would be able to get around his chief. His chief was nothing but a spineless little money-grubbing bastard with a very shady history. Enishi smirked, blackmail, no better way to do business.

Turning to one of the men seated across from him he pinned him with a glare, "I want those release papers by two o'clock. Do you understand?"

The extremely pale lawyer just nodded and jumped up from his chair, "Hai, Oyabun."

Enishi just glared after the little man that scurried from the office. One down, one to go. Shifting his attention to the other man he smiled and settled back in Tanaka's chair. "I need you to book a flight to Tokyo for me for as soon as possible. I have been assured that Tanaka will be released as soon as the papers are on that weasel, Fujiyama's, desk. I am no longer needed here."

The second man, one of Tanaka's own, rose and bowed respectfully; back-stepping out of the room. Smirking, Enishi kicked his feet up on the desk and leaned back. There, everything had been set into motion, now all he had to do was get back to Tokyo and he would be able to take care of his own problems. But then again maybe he should have someone start the hunt now. It wouldn't due to let Kaoru and her ‘savior’ think themselves free. At least one thing helped, it seemed the Triad men had shot Kaoru when they'd tried to take her. For that mistake they would both die a very slow and painful death, but unbeknownst to them they had actually done him a favor. There was no way she would be able to completely disappear with a wound like that.

Reaching into his pocket he withdrew his cell phone and flipped it open. Yes, he would set his best dog on the trail, Hei Shin had already covered the obvious places but Shishio had more talent in this type of hunt. Searching the numbers he found the one he needed and hit the button to place the call. Absently tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair he waited impatiently for the phone to be answered.

Finally after four rings the phone was picked up. "Oyabun?"

Enishi smirked at the smooth voice that filled the earpiece, "I need you to do something for me."

"And what would that be?" Shishio drawled with a hint of anticipation in his voice. Enishi had to suppress the chuckle suddenly tickling the back of his throat, Shishio sounded just a little bit eager.

"I need you to find Kaoru. It seems she has decided my attention is no longer needed."

A sarcastic chuckle drifted through the earpiece, "More like she decided to break her leash. I take it Hei Shin wasn't able to keep her chained? Want me to do something about him?"

Enishi scowled, Shishio was pushing it. "Leave Hei Shin to me, all you need to do is find Kaoru. She's been shot so I don't think you'll have a problem."

Silence met his statement and then Shishio came on again with a slight purr in his voice, "What should I do with her when I find her?"

Enishi smirked at the eagerness in his subordinate's voice, "Nothing. All I want you to do is find her, don't approach her or the person she's with. They are mine."

"So she's not alone?"

Enishi scowled at Shishio's tone. "No, but that is not your concern. Just find her. Got it?"

A pause met his statement, and then "Hai, Oyabun" sounded through the ear piece just before the line went dead.

Enishi flipped the phone closed and smiled as a surge of anticipation flowed through his veins. Very soon he would finally have the pleasure of tearing apart the cause of his headaches. This supposed hitokiri didn't know what he'd asked for when he'd decided to pursue Kaoru. Smirking, Enishi shoved out of the chair and headed out the door, the man had no idea what kind of beast he had awoken.

Himura Kenshin wouldn't know what hit him.

oooooooooooooooooo

Kenshin wandered back into the livingroom and headed straight for the only piece of furniture in Sano's barren apartment. Glancing at the sleeping form laid out on the sofa he sighed and set down the fresh glass of water on the floor. Lifting her just enough to sit down he laid her head in his lap again and began to finger comb her hair. A small knot of worry tightened in his gut as he gazed at her sleeping face. It had been almost seventeen hours since she'd passed out in his arms, and she had yet to regain consciousness. All his attempts to try to awaken her had failed so far, he didn't know what else to do. He'd even gone so far as to risk discovery and sent Sano to get Megumi again. All she'd said when she'd come was that Kaoru's extended sleep was most likely due to the gunshot wound and the heavy stress she'd endured the last few days and likely she would wake up soon. That had been three hours ago and there was still no sign of her waking.

Frowning, he shifted his attention out the window and continued to run his fingers softly through Kaoru's raven locks as he watched the sun dip down below the horizon. He didn't know how much more waiting he would be able to take, each passing minute tightened the knot of worry in his gut a little bit more. What if she didn't wake? That one thought had been continuously resounding in his head. What if she remained asleep locked in her own mind? Sickened by the thought he reached into his breast pocket and withdrew a small bag of red powder. He was almost tempted to give her this, if there was anything that would cure whatever was keeping her asleep, it would be this. Rolling the bag between his fingers he weighed the pros and cons of it again. Sighing he shook his head, no he couldn't do that to her, he wouldn't take the choice away.

Tucking the small bag into his pocket again he watched the last rays of sunlight fall from the sky. It didn't matter when she woke now anyway because they'd missed their flight and on top of that Sano had come by earlier to tell him that Enishi's man were crawling all over the district asking everyone they saw about a raven haired woman with a redheaded man. They'd even accosted Megumi in the clinic and harassed Satoshi at the dojo in their search for them.

Oh, but they hadn't stopped there, Enishi's men had also been in the apartment building. According to Sano they'd broken into Kaoru's apartment and turned it upside down looking for some clue to where he and Kaoru had gone. They'd even gone so far as to trash his apartment in their search, but thankfully he'd sent Sano to collect the bag he'd packed for Kaoru along with his own bag and the tickets as soon as they'd come to the apartment early this morning. At the very least Enishi wouldn't know his plans to leave the country.

Shaking his head he sighed again, but the worst thing of all was the fact that Enishi was now back in Tokyo. Sano had come less than an hour ago to let him know that little piece of information. Letting his head drop to the sofa back Kenshin closed his eyes, he shouldn't be all that surprised. Enishi had never been one to just allow something to slide, in this life or the last. Scowling, he rubbed his forehead with his free hand then reached down for the water. Taking a sip he set it back down and shifted his attention to the one and only thing that really mattered right now.

Lightly tracing his fingers across her smooth cheek he let a small smile blossom on his lips. After a hundred and twenty eight years she was finally here where she belonged. The last seventeen hours had been stressful but they had also given him a lot of time to think. This time he wasn't going to screw up, this time he was going to make sure she knew she was the one and only one he wanted. He would take all the time it needed to make her understand that she was his and she always would be.

Dropping his head back again he closed his eyes again and started to drift off into a light doze. Now all he needed was for to her to wake so he could finally tell her the one thing he'd been waiting over a century to tell her.

oooooooooooooooooo

Kaoru swam up slowly out of the darkness, images of a life she didn't quite understand chasing her out of the deepest recesses of her mind. Still confused by all she'd seen and sensed she tried to hold on to the image of the one person that had brought her the most comfort while she'd been locked within her own mind. His smiling violet eyes a soothing balm to her confused soul.

Swimming further up from the darkness she scowled as the image faded more and more, in one last effort to keep him beside her she reached out and whispered, "Kenshin."

All of a sudden Kaoru felt her hand encased in warmth and then a smiling voice answered, "I'm right here." Snapping her eyes open she bolted upright and shimmied away from the person holding her hand. A groan ripped from throat as the wound in her leg protested the sudden movement. Clenching her teeth she squinted into the darkened room in an effort to see the one who had answered her, but all she could make out was a vague silhouette. All of a sudden the person dropped her hand and stood up to make his way to something on the wall. And then in a flash the darkness fell away under the light that filled the apartment.

Squinting against the bright light, Kaoru rubbed her eyes and tried to focus on the figure making his way towards her. Squishing herself further into the sofa she tried to fend of the nearly overpowering fear that gripped ahold of her as the person continued to advance. What if it was one of the men who had tried to kill her before? She couldn't fight them, not if they still had the gun.

Trying to swallow around the lump suddenly lodged in her throat she closed her eyes tight and tried to make herself as small as possible. She jumped when she felt the sofa sag as the other person sat down beside her and then she felt the light brush of fingers against her cheek. "Are you ok, Kaoru?"

Startled, Kaoru snapped her eyes back open only to close them again against the glaring brightness. That voice, she knew that voice. It was Shinta... no... his real name wasn't Shinta... it was... Kenshin.

Taking a deep breath Kaoru gave her eyes another rub and slowly slid them open to meet the smiling violet gaze fixed on her. "Kenshin?" she asked even though she already knew it to be the truth. He was the one from her memories. But how could that be?

Kenshin nodded at her question and smiled at the obvious confusion written on her face. "Yes, it's me Kaoru. Do you remember me?"

Kaoru just stared at him for a couple of seconds before she nodded, "A little." Cocking her head to the side she asked, "But how can you be here? Are you reincarnated too?"

Kenshin's smile widened, now how was he going to explain that. He wasn't sure if she was quite ready to deal with the answer to that just yet, especially since she'd just regained her memories of their time so long ago. Shaking his head no he almost laughed when she cocked an eyebrow at him. Heading off the next question he could see forming in her eyes he asked, "What do you remember?"

Kaoru dropped her eyes, suddenly nervous at the question. Most of what she remembered was still too muddled for her to fully understand. One thing she had figured out though was that she had loved this man with all of her heart but he hadn't loved her back. She grimaced as the truth of what she remembered finally hit home. He had loved someone else... not her.

Forcefully shoving the truth away she was suddenly assaulted by another face, one that had haunted her the entire time she'd slept and dreamed. Even though most everything else was still a mess in her mind there was one other thing she remembered...one thing that had continually rose up to stab a knife into her heart... Enishi. Everything he had done to her in this lifetime... and the last. Sickened by the memories Kaoru swallowed and fought back the tears suddenly burning her eyes, "What I remember most... is... Enishi."

Not looking at Kenshin she pulled her legs up to hide her face against her knees in an effort to hide from the truth of what she had relived. He had killed her. Of that there was no question. She could still feel the agony of the blade piercing her flesh; she could still hear the triumphant chuckle as the blade slid into her heart snuffing out her life. And yet she didn't know why. Why had he killed her? She still hadn't been able to figure that out.

When no answer came to her confession Kaoru looked up and frowned at the dark look shadowing Kenshin's face, the pain in his eyes hitting her square in the chest. "Kenshin?" she asked in an effort to snap him out of whatever he was thinking. When all he did was continue to stare at her she dug up the courage to ask him the one thing she was sure he knew. Shifting her attention to her lap she whispered, "Kenshin, do you know why Enishi killed me?"

Kenshin closed his eyes and sighed. Why did it have to be this? Of all the things she could have remembered the most, why did it have to be this? Pushing to his feet he settled down in front of her and reached out to gently place a finger under her chin. Lifting her tear streaked face to meet his he sighed, "I made a terrible mistake in the past that drove him to hurt me in the only way he knew how. By taking you from me."

Confused, Kaoru quirked an eyebrow. Unsettled by the intense look he had fixed on her she stood up and pushed past him, slowly hobbling her way to the window facing the city she stared blindly at the sea of lights covering the world, ignoring the dull throb aching up her leg. That couldn't be true, she'd been nothing to him... nothing but a friend and yet he made it sound like she'd been so much more.

Clenching her fists she scowled into the dark night. Why was he saying things like this? It already hurt so much to think she hadn't meant anything to him. Why did he have to make it sound like she had? A sudden surge of anger rose to the surface and she spun around, her eyes blazing with fury, "Why are you lying to me! That can't be true! I was never anything to you so why would he kill me because of you!"

Kenshin sighed and rose, turning towards her he met the furious gaze leveled on him, the ice in her sapphire eyes cutting him to the core. It was just as he'd feared; she hadn't remembered her life whole but only in pieces that she hadn't fully put together yet. This was where he would either lose her or convince her. "I'm not lying Kaoru. You are everything to me. Ever since the first day we met you have been... and you always will be."

Kaoru ignored the sincerity in his voice and shook her head in fury, "No, I'm not! You loved Tomoe not me. Why are you here! Why!" And then suddenly the truth of what she'd just said became clear. Yes, in the past it had been Tomoe he had loved... Enishi's sister, Tomoe. The very same Tomoe who had died by his hand all those years ago. Everything all of a sudden became clear and all she could do was stare horrified at him, "He really did kill me because of you. You killed his sister, and he said you didn't deserve to be happy. I remember now. He said you didn't deserve happiness after you stole his sister's."

Kenshin cringed as the words struck him dead in the chest. Taking a step towards her he stopped when she recoiled from him, the wild look in her eyes stopping him dead in his tracks. With a sigh he took a step back and dropped to the sofa, dropping his head in his hands he stared at the floor. Even now a hundred and forty years after he had committed the deed that had blackened his soul it still rose up to steal the only thing he'd ever wanted. "Yes, I killed her. And I will pay for that deed for the rest of my life but..." glancing back up he trapped her with an intense stare, "... in this lifetime she finally found the happiness I stole from her."

Kaoru just stared at him and then her eyes widened as the truth of what he said hit home. He was right, Tomoe had found the happiness she had lost so long ago, she and Akira had finally been together. In this lifetime she'd been happy, Kaoru had seen it with her own eyes. Fighting back the tears suddenly burning her eyes she didn't notice as one slipped from the corner of her eye to travel unheeded down her face.

Sagging to the floor she leaned against the wall, completely worn from everything that had happened. Another tear slipped unheeded from her downcast eyes, "Why are you here Kenshin?" she whispered more to herself than him. Completely confused she shook her head and finally wiped the wetness from her cheeks, "I don't understand any of this. Why are you here... why is this happening?" When no answer came she dropped her head to her knees and tried to clear her mind. This was all too much, she couldn't take much more. She felt so alone, nothing made sense anymore, nothing.

She jumped when a pair of arms wrapped around her to gather her to a hard, firm chest. Inhaling sharply at the sudden warmth flowing through her entire body she lifted her head. Her breath hitched at finding Kenshin's face only inches from hers, his breath whispering ever so softly against her lips. "I'm sorry. I didn't want this to happen to you like this." Leaning in he rested his forehead against hers and whispered, "I never meant to hurt you... that was never my intention."

Kaoru could only stare into his violet eyes, her heart beating a rapid tattoo against her ribs. Closing her eyes against the sincerity in his, she felt another tear slip from the corner of her eye. Why did this have to hurt so much? Why did he have to look at her like that? Like she really did matter to him. She knew she didn't, so why was he playing this game. Unwilling to rise to the bait she pulled away from him and leaned back against the wall to stare blindly across the room. "It's not your fault Kenshin," she said in an effort to end the conversation.

Kenshin nearly growled at the dead look in Kaoru's eyes. She didn't believe him, even with her memories she didn't believe him. Angered by her weak attempt to push him away he moved to kneel directly in front of her and forced her to look at him, "There's something I have been waiting to tell you for over a hundred years, something that you should have heard a long time ago..." Cupping her cheeks he held her steady so she couldn't dodge away from him and looked deep into her stunned sapphire gaze, "... I love you Kaoru. Enishi took you away from me before I could tell you that, but that doesn't change the fact that I love you and I have for the last one hundred and twenty nine years." Leaning in he pinned her with his now amber eyes, "Do you believe me now?"

Kaoru just stared into his fiery amber gaze, her breath catching painfully in her throat. "You..." she managed to choke out around the lump in her throat. It couldn't be... but ... she'd watched them change with her own eyes. And then all of a sudden everything came together. All the memories that had eluded her up until this very moment sorted themselves out and she saw her entire life clearly before her eyes. And then she felt it, the very moment her soul had been encased in a warm golden light forever connecting her to this man.

Inhaling sharply she tried to pull away from him but he kept her trapped; his grip tightening on her cheeks, holding her firmly in place. Wide eyed she watched as he leaned in to mere centimeters from her lips, "Never push me away again, my sweet Kaoru. I have waited too long to have you here in my arms. I'm not going to let anything take you away from me again."

Kaoru could only stare at him, astonished as he leaned in and brushed his lips ever so lightly against hers, the touch setting alight a white hot fire in her veins. Shivering from the sensation she leaned into his lips and hesitantly began to kiss him back. The feel of his warm lips moving against hers sending her back to the place she'd only dreamed of. Lifting her hands she loosened his hair and buried her fingers deep in his fiery locks as he deepened the kiss; holding him to her, afraid he might move away if she let him.

Kenshin smirked against her lips as he felt her hands bury themselves deep in his hair, the sensation nearly driving him over the edge. Breaking the kiss he pulled back just enough to look into her darkened sapphire eyes, "So I take it you believe me now."

Kaoru blushed suddenly shy; dropping her hands she tried to duck her head. She scowled when he kept a firm grip on her cheeks. Looking deep into his expectant gaze she finally smiled, "Yes, I believe you. Now will you let me go?" She watched as a smile blossomed on his lips, his eyes slowly turning back to the brilliant violet hue she remembered and loved. She almost whimpered as he dropped his hands and stood up, acutely aware of the loss of his touch. Sighing at herself, she shook her head and levered herself off of the floor. Hissing in pain she finally took a minute to look at her surroundings. She was shocked to see the barren apartment that was laid out just like hers.

Turning to Kenshin she jumped at finding him right beside her, back stepping she hissed again and leaned against the window sill. "Where are we Kenshin?"

Kaoru nearly choked when, instead of answering her question, Kenshin leaned over and swung her up into his arms. Blinking several times in an attempt to keep her eyes lodged in her head, all she could do was stare at him horrified. "What th-"

"Wow, not wasting any time are you Kenshin?"

The blood drained from Kaoru's face as the unexpected voice cut her off. Swinging her head around she just stared horrified at Sano who stood in the doorway with a sardonic grin plastered on his face. Instant color blossomed on her cheeks when he winked at her. Beyond embarrassed she tried to jump out of Kenshin's arms to no avail, she was completely locked in his embrace.

Kenshin just smiled into the glare she leveled on him and started walking her over to the sofa, "You shouldn't be walking on that leg."

Scowling at him she tried again to get out of his arms. "I'll walk on it if I want to, Himura!"

"Would you stop that. You're going to hurt yourself," Kenshin admonished ignoring her futile attempts to gain freedom. He almost laughed at the blush creeping up her neck. Gently setting her down on the sofa a small chuckle did escape when she immediately shimmied away from him to curl up at the other end. Ignoring the sudden temptation to chase after her he instead focused his attention on Sano, "Is something wrong?"

Sano just smiled as he took in Kenshin's loose hair and Kaoru's rosy lips. Stifling the chuckle tickling his throat he made his way into the empty livingroom and held out the reason he'd come. "I thought you might be hungry since I haven't really moved in yet, so I begged food off of Tae for you."

Smiling Kenshin reached out for the bag, "Thanks."

"This is your place?" Kaoru asked quirking an eyebrow.

Sano nodded and sat down cross legged in front of them on the floor. "Didn't I tell you Katsu and I both rented an apartment in the building?" When she nodded he added, "Well this one's mine. Katsu's is right next door."

He grinned at the silent 'oh' Kaoru gave him. Leaning back he rested himself on his arms and looked dead at Kaoru, "So what do you remember jou-chan?"

Startled by the question Kaoru set down the bento box Kenshin had handed her in her lap and met Sano's curious gaze. "Everything" Suddenly suspicious she narrowed her eyes and pinned with a hard look, "How would you know about that?" When all he did was smirk at her she suddenly she saw the truth. He must have remembered too. But how? Why?

Sano watched the spark of understanding flicker through Kaoru's eyes and smiled, "Yeah, I remember it all too. It happened a couple of days ago."

"But how? Why?" She voiced aloud, more to herself than the two men watching her intently. Glancing back to Sano she asked, "What about Megumi? Does she remember?"

Sano shook his head, "Not yet..." Glancing to Kenshin he smirked and turned his attention back to Kaoru, "... but it was a close thing this morning when she came to take care of your leg. For a minute I thought she was going to remember when she saw you and Kenshin together but instead she decided to rip Kenshin up one side and down the other for letting you get hurt. Then she vowed to disembowel Enishi for making you sneak away like that." Chuckling Sano shook his head, "I swear that woman can be almost as scary as you when she's angry."

Kenshin nodded and suppressed a shiver at the memory of a scalpel wielding Megumi looming over him, threatening to slice him into tiny little pieces should anything else happen to Kaoru. Sano was right, she could be scary.

Shaking his head he glanced at Kaoru and frowned, she looked like she'd seen a ghost; her skin was as pale as snow. Reaching out to brush his fingers against her cheek, his frown deepened when she jumped at his touch. "Are you alright Kaoru?" he asked, suddenly frightened.

Kaoru turned haunted eyes to him as Enishi's name continued to bounce around in her head, the reason why she'd been leaving in the first place rising up to slap her in the face. Suddenly sick, she fought back the tears burning her eyes. "I... I have to go..." she mumbled as she set aside the untouched meal on her lap and started to rise.

Surprised by her sudden mood shift, Kenshin reached out and stopped her. Pushing her back down, he asked "Why?"

Shaking her head Kaoru ignored the question and tried to rise again, but this time was stopped by two hands not just one.

"Kaoru you're not going anywhere in the condition you're in."

Shrugging off Kenshin's hands she swung angry eyes at him and growled, "I have to go or he's going to kill you! He already told me he was going to kill you! I can't let that happen!"

Relieved that was all it was Kenshin just smiled into her furious gaze, "He can't hurt me Kaoru. Not in this lifetime." Setting aside his own meal he moved right beside her and tried to gather her to his chest.

Kaoru shimmied further away from him and tried to stand again, "Yes, he can! He won't stop until you're dead. I know him, he won't stop!"

Kenshin sighed and shook his head, grabbing ahold of her he tucked her into his lap and pinned her with an intense stare, "The only way he can hurt me is if he takes you from me again, and I'm not going to let that happen."

"Kaoru, don't you remember who he is? The Hitokiri Battousai?" Sano piped up, confused by her sudden fear for Kenshin.

Turning watery eyes to Sano she sagged against Kenshin and whispered, "But his vow. I can't let him break his vow."

Sano snorted, "Didn't stop him the first time he killed Enishi."

Startled, Kaoru tried to pull away from Kenshin but found herself locked against his chest. Sighing, she sagged against him again and asked, "You killed Enishi back then?"

Kenshin cringed at Kaoru's disheartened tone. Holding her just a little bit tighter he nodded, "Yes. I couldn't stop the hitokiri in me from killing him. I didn't find any pleasure in killing him but the killer in me demanded his death after what he did to you." Closing his eyes he rested his chin on the top of her head and waited for the rejection he was sure was going to come. The one thing Kaoru had always cared about was his vow. She had done everything she could to make sure he never broke it but she hadn't been there then. No, Enishi had made sure she wasn’t there again.

Kaoru listened to his heartbeat speed up slightly, the pain in his voice cutting her deep. She could hear the truth in his voice; he hadn't truly wanted to kill Enishi. Sighing she whispered, "It's ok Kenshin." Fighting back the tears burning in her eyes she wrapped her own arms around his waist and hugged him tight, "Just... don't kill him this time. Please... for me a..and Tomoe, don't kill him."

Kenshin smiled as a heady lightness flooded his body at her acceptance. Loosening his arms he pulled back far enough to look into her eyes, "I won't, I promise. I'm in full control. There is no hitokiri or rurouni... there's just me now. Only me, Kaoru."

The lighthearted smile that suddenly lit up her face had Kenshin's heart threatening to jump out of his chest. Staring into her forgiving gaze he was suddenly acutely aware of their closeness, the smell of jasmine tickling his nose.

"Um... I think it's about time I go." Sano said suddenly, feeling uncomfortable. He had the feeling that he'd just become the third wheel.

Kenshin and Kaoru both jumped as the sound of his voice broke into the silence. Smirking at the matching blushes growing on both of their faces he pushed off the floor and gave Kenshin a sly smile, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Sano!" Kaoru growled, angrily snapping her eyes to him.

Making a show of looking around the barren livingroom he slid his eyes back to her with a lascivious smirk on his face, "Jou-chan... there's only that sofa to sleep on... if you now what I mean..."

Kaoru's cheeks blazed even brighter, her eyes suddenly snapping with embarrassed fury. Jumping to her feet she hissed and fell back, right into Kenshin's arms. Horrified, she fought to break free but gave up when she found herself completely trapped by the arms wrapped tight around her.

"Sano, didn't you say you had to go?" Kenshin asked in an effort to save the fighter from a very painful death at Kaoru's hands.

Sano smirked and winked, "Yeah. I have to go make sure no one finds you, so do me a favor and stay away from the windows." Suddenly serious he pinned Kaoru with a hard stare, "I saw you from the street earlier. If I can see you so can one of Enishi's men."

Kaoru just stared at Sano, her anger cooling instantly. Sobered by the warning she sighed and pulled away from Kenshin, settling back onto the sofa she glanced at them both, "What are we going to do about Enishi? He'll find us. I know he will."

Sano looked deep into Kaoru's tired eyes then glanced at Kenshin, he smiled at the slight shaking of his friend's head. They must be thinking the same thing... now was not the time to worry about that. For now they were safe.

Kenshin reached out and took Kaoru's hand, "We'll worry about that tomorrow. We're safe here for now. Enishi doesn't know about this place so we have a day or two before we have to figure out what to do."

Kaoru just shook her head, for some reason she didn't believe that. There was no way Enishi would let them go unfound for that long... and yet she so wanted to believe they were safe. At least for a little while. Ignoring the little nagging voice that continued to say it wasn't going to be that easy, she smiled and nodded, "Ok." All of a sudden a yawn gripped a hold of her, a wave of exhaustion flooding through her body. Unable to hold her eyes open she rested heavily against the sofa back and yawned again.

"Alright. I'm out of here but I'll be back tomorrow. Is there anything you need?" Sano asked as he headed for the door.

Kenshin shook his head, "No, we should be alright until tomorrow."

Sano nodded and headed out of the apartment, "Ok. See you guys tomorrow then."

Listening as the door slipped closed behind Sano, Kenshin turned his attention to Kaoru and smiled. She was sleeping again. He couldn't really blame her though, the last few days had really taken their toll on her and unfortunately it wasn't going to get any better, for a little while at least. Standing, he gently laid her down again. He was surprised when she reached up and drew him down beside her. "You're not going to leave me are you?"

Leaning in he kissed her softly, "No, I'm not going anywhere without you."

All she did was smile as her eyes slowly drifted close again, her grip loosening in sleep. Smiling to himself Kenshin rose, collected their meals and headed into the kitchen to put them in the refrigerator. For the first time since he'd found out that Kaoru was with Enishi he was actually starting to believe everything was going to be alright. That they really would be able to live in peace. Wandering back into the livingroom he stood for several seconds and just stared at the one woman who made his world complete. Yes, all they had to do was get out of Japan and they would be safe. They could do it; together he was sure they could do it.

Grinning to himself he reached over to flick the light switch off and laid out beside her, snuggling her tight to his chest. His grin widened into a half smile when she wrapped her arm around him pulling him even closer. Sighing in contentment he tucked her head under his chin and let himself begin to drift into a light doze. It had been so long... so very long since he'd felt her in his arms. Never again would he let anyone take her from him... Ever.

oooooooooooooooooo

Shishio smirked as he watched the light disappear in the apartment on the eighth floor. It hadn't been hard to find Kamiya at all. Even Hei Shin should have been able to find her, but then again this was Hei Shin he was talking about. Shaking his head he watched as Sagara left the complex heading back into the heart of East Shinjuku. It had been a simple task to stake out the clinic Kamiya worked at. With a wound like that he'd known at some point someone would come get the doctor and sure enough Sagara had done just that a couple hours ago.

Shishio couldn't suppress the chuckle that bubbled up. So they thought to hide right here under Enishi's nose. Not a good idea. If this person was a supposed hitokiri then he should have known better. Shrugging, he started the car and headed back to his place. He'd tell Enishi of this first thing in the morning, let the lovers believe they were safe. It would make the capture that much sweeter when the time came.

Yes, it would be so much sweeter to see her completely shattered.

Too bad Enishi wouldn't just leave them alone, neh? Not going to happen but I am going to give them some alone time. Next chapter is dedicated to them and then all hell is going to break lose. Well at least I think that's how it's going to work out... we'll have to wait and see.

Please review and let me know what you think.