Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Separate Lives ❯ chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter 6

Aoshi stared at the faint shaft of moonlight reflecting in the small mirror on the table across the room then shifted his gaze to look down at Megumi nestled against him. With a whisper light touch he brushed back the strands of hair that fell into her beautiful face and knew as surely as he knew his own name that she'd felt the power between them as he had.

It wasn't just the sexual exhilaration of a man and woman coming together it was more, so like that first time back at Kanryuu's and yet so different. It was as if their very spirits joined the instant their bodies did and took the natural pleasure they shared to an amazing level that he'd never experienced.

Truth be told, it was a level that frightened him for it easily breached the cold wall of self-control that he'd spent his entire adult life erecting and maintaining. Just being in close company with Megumi threatened that wall and always had. There was something about her that awakened the man he wanted to be and though he couldn't define what it was, it had been there from the day he first saw her at Kanryuu's estate.

He glanced over at the small clock she kept near the futon and sighed inwardly. His train would leave in less than six hours and he very much wanted to let it leave without him, all the while knowing that such a thing wouldn't happen. He had his obligations just as Megumi had hers.

He looked back at her and stroked her cheek with his fingertips. He could throw caution to the wind and ask her to go back with him as his wife, but would that be a wise idea? He still had his share of enemies who knew better than to accost him personally, or tempt fate by going after the remaining Oniwabanshuu, but a wife and a helpless young child were far too vulnerable. He wouldn't allow his past actions to be the cause of more unnecessary deaths. The deaths of his men still weighed heavily upon his soul and if anything were to happen to Megumi or Kae it would surely destroy him. No, it was better to leave things as they were for now. It was the wisest thing to do.

He was certain of it.

Mostly certain of it.

I am certain of it, Aoshi told himsef as his heart tried to argue the point. It's best that I return to Kyoto over the winter. It's for the best that what lies between Megumi and myself stay between us alone.

Then why does the thought of leaving her make you feel so empty inside? A ghostly voice inquired from some place deep inside him. He refused to acknowledge the lurking sadness and turned his attention back to Megumi.

Megumi was awakened in the pre-dawn hours by the rhythmic caress of Aoshi's fingers upon her bare back. She opened her eyes and smiled drowsily at him in the faint light coming through the window.

"I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep," he said trying to pull away.

"I'm fine," she whispered back, drawing his strong arms around her once more. Being here like this felt so wonderful, so very right and she didn't want to miss a moment of it, because soon he would be gone..

And she would be alone.

Alone the way she'd been for far too long.

Aoshi caressed the side of her face then shifted so that she was beneath him and Megumi adjusted her position that last little bit marveling at the way their bodies joined so perfectly.

"I'm going to miss you," Aoshi said softly, brushing his lips across her forehead.

"Then don't go."

"I must."

Aoshi said nothing more and the silence stabbed Megumi's heart. The look in his eyes said he didn't want to leave. At least she hoped that's what it meant. But if he wanted to stay then why didn't he?

The questions and speculations evaporated like a morning fog in the sun when Aoshi brought his lips to hers. Megumi reveled in the passion Aoshi brought to their union. It was as if all the feeling he concealed in his day to day life exploded like a volcano that swept her along in its fiery wake, consumed the loneliness that forever plagued her and left her vanquished, yet unfettered and free to experience it all again.

They made love until the sun rose then dozed in each other's arms until Kaemon awoke. There was a light coating of snow on the ground and the trees looked so pretty with their bare snow-covered branches reaching towards the silvery sunlight.

Aoshi came up behind Megumi and handed her a cup of tea before sliding his arms protectively around her waist, while Kae busied himself with his breakfast. "I should go back to the hotel and collect my bags then get to the station. The weather might be interrferring with the schedules and I might try to take an earlier train if there is one."

"Are you that anxious to get away from me?" Megumi teased.

"My secret is out," he joked back. "I crave the company of Okina and his incessant ranting about the cold aching his tired old bones." Aoshi chuckled. "He's done it every year that I can remember just for the attention of the women, you know."

Megumi laughed and turned so that she was still in Aoshi's arms but facing him. "Kae and I can come to see you off."

Aoshi caressed her cheek. "It's too cold. I'd rather you stay here."

"All right," Megumi said, trying to tell herself that he was only being concerned and that he wasn't trying to brush her off now that he'd gotten all he wanted from her.

Aoshi read the pain in her eyes and denied the same pain that was tugging at him. It was best this way. It was safer for all concerned. And yet...

She and the boy are too precious to endanger, Aoshi's practical side reminded him. "I really must go," he said quietly, not quite ready to release his hold on her.

"But you'll be back?" she asked, her dark eyes so worried as if she thought it must be a dream.

He nodded, relieved to see the flicker of fear disappear from her eyes. "As soon as i can. You'll be waiting?"

She smiled. "For as long as you want me to." Her smile turned to that playful kitsune grin that so captivated him. "And if you're very lucky I might let you talk me into massaging and pampering your tired old bones."

Aoshi laughed and kissed her.

Megumi stood in the opened doorway watching until Aoshi strode out of sight taking a piece of her with him.