Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Black Hawke ❯ Let Me Take You Home ( Chapter 6 )

A/N: Ok... Aoshi is a little OOC. I knew that from the beginning. That was one of the reason's I almost didn't post this fic. I knew there would be resistance to the fact that he is not quite all ice and aloofness. I made him that way on purpose. I made him troubled, angry, and slightly out of control. He has 'some issues' that effect his judgement sometimes as well as his behavior, hence the duel type persona of Aoshi/Black Hawke. It's the Black Hawke that calls Kaoru 'Ragdoll', and the Aoshi that calls her 'Kay'. He is struggling with trust and intimacy issues where she is concerned because she is the type of girl he was never prepared to meet, and he is definitely the type of guy she was never prepared to meet. His flip-flopping personality is confusing, intriguing, sexy, and frightening all at the same time, and no matter how hard she tries, she just can't stay away. He's a jerk, an asshole, and he's the best thing that ever happened to her.

They are both confused... and rightfully so. Enjoy. Knt

Review Responses at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Six

"Let Me Take You Home"

The Diner was empty.

Every table inside was filled with dirty dishes, and the counter was a waitresses' nightmare. The floors needed to be swept and mopped, and all of the tickets tallied and the money paid into the register. Whatever was left over would be considered as tips and put in the pocket of Kaoru's uniform to be squirreled away later in her private 'savings account' in the shoe box under her bed. The cook and dishwasher had shown their faces only briefly during the exchange between Hawke and Fenton before ducking back into the kitchen to hide behind the heavy swinging doors. Neither of them wanted to risk even the slightest chance that they might be drafted into the 'battle' by Kaoru, and making themselves scarce, seemed the best way to avoid that possibility.

"How am I ever going to get all of this cleaned up by myself?" Kaoru heaved a sigh as she surveyed the massive amount of work that lay before her as she brought her hands to her face and rubbed her eyes. "This is like... the absolute worst mess I have ever seen in here... I'll be here all night."

"No you won't, ragdoll." Hawke walked up beside her and slipped a casual arm around her shoulders. "Those two lazy bums in the kitchen are going to help you... and so am I."

"You?" She turned and stared at him in complete shock her voice registering her incredulity. "Why would you stay and help? I mean... you-you don't have to or anything. I-I can't take care of this. I-it's not like I haven't had to do it before." Stumbling over her words, Kaoru spread her hands out in front of her and moved away from him a few steps. "Besides, you might get your clothes all messed up... and that looks like a really expensive suit."

"Feh," He snorted and reached out to pull her into a loose embrace. "Like I give a shit about my fucking suit." She was trembling in his arms and he gently leaned over to rest his forehead against hers. "I said I would help you with this mess, and I meant it. So deal with it and stop being difficult."

"I... I'm not being difficult." Her voice dropped to a low tone and her hands lifted to rest against his chest. "I... I just don't..." She stuttered to a halt and looked down at her hands as her unease grew.

"You don't what?" One of his hands lifted and stroked the smooth skin of her cheek gently while his other hand kept her pinned against his body. "Tell me, Kay... I know I'm the biggest asshole in the world, and what I did this morning was unforgivable, but please tell me what you were going to say. Please?" She slowly looked up into his face and found his icy blue-green eyes watching her very intently if not earnestly.

"I... I just meant that I don't think you should have to help me do this." She spoke soft and low.

"Why not?" He continued to stroke her cheek and watched as her eyes became larger and turned a darker blue.

"Be-because... it's beneath you, Hawke. I just can't see you cleaning tables... that's all, and I don't expect you to help me. I really don't." Her words shocked and stunned him to the point he reared back away from her his face reflecting his surprise.

"Beneath me?" A strange look crossed his face as he released her, and then he moved away so he could see her face more clearly. "Are you trying to suggest that I am better than you, Kay? Is that what I am hearing from you here? Is it?"

"Well, I... I guess so." She replied and lowered her eyes in the face of his penetrating look. "This just isn't the sort of thing I see you doing... especially in that suit."

"To hell with my suit!" He roared at her and she flinched. "You have no idea what is or isn't beneath me... and this," He swung his arm indicating the mess that surrounded them. "Most definitely is NOT. So you best get it through your pretty head that I'm going to help you, and get off your high horse and hand me a broom or a bus tub or something before I come back over there and beat your ass red for even assuming such a stupid thing, let alone saying it." As her mouth dropped open in shock, he stormed past her and slammed through the kitchen doors.

The sound of his angry voice could easily be heard though she could not make out the words he was saying, but the next moment, Tim, the young dishwasher was bounding through the doors with a bus tub in his hands and began to clean the closest tables as if the hounds of hell were snapping at his feet. He was shortly followed by Eddy, the cook, who was similarly packing the same kind of tub and moving just as fast.

When Hawke reappeared he had a third tub in his hands, a soapy wash cloth, and a broom and the look on his face told Kaoru not to say a word about any of it.

"Start working on the tickets." Was all he said to her as he brushed past heading for the counter and the tangled jungle of glasses, plates, and silverware covering it. "That's going to take you a bit to figure out." And then he was rolling his sleeves up and diving in as if cleaning up after messy patrons was something he did every day. 'I swear... he surprises me with something about himself every minute... who the hell is this guy? And why do I care if he messes up his $800 suit helping me clean up the Diner? And why did it make me feel so much better when he told me he'd acted like an asshole this morning... I didn't think he was the type to admit anything... who are you, Hawke?'

Over the next 2 hours the four of them worked diligently if not furiously to get the mountainous disarray of the Diner back to normal so that everyone could leave on time... and so no one ended up on the wrong end of The Black Hawke's icy temper.

Tim and Eddy had moved faster and more efficiently than Kaoru had ever seen them, plus not one word of complaint had escaped either of their usually constantly whining mouths as they worked. In fact, it had almost seemed that they were enjoying their hyperactive chores as they turned up the radio and danced and jazzed their way through the outlandish mess. Kaoru sat behind the till tallying up the tickets and counting the money as they jigged by her, and she couldn't help laughing at their antics.

'What on earth has gotten into the two of them?' She wondered, until her eyes fell on the lithe muscular frame of the 'man in charge' as he burst through the kitchen doors with yet another basket of clean water glasses to put away. 'THAT'S what got into them... but why are they enjoying him bossing them around?' She shook her head as she counted out change and put it in a separate pile from the money waiting to be tallied out for the remaining tickets.

"Are you almost finished?" Kaoru nearly jumped out of her skin as the smooth tenor voice spoke right beside her ear startling her from her concentration on the money.

"Dammit, Hawke..." She spluttered angrily. "Don't do that. You scared the hell out of me." A soft chuckle fell from his lips and the warmth of his breath wafted against her cheek bringing gooseflesh up on her arms and down her back.

"Sorry... sort of." Was he semi attempt at an apology as he nuzzled against her ear bringing up more gooseflesh in the process. "Just curious if you were almost done or not. Are you?"

"Ummm... almost." Kaoru's thoughts were scattering like leaves in the wind the closer Hawke got to her, and the pace of her heart beat was increasing to the point she was certain he could hear it pounding in her throat. "Just a few left."

"That's good. The boy's and me are just about through as well." The tip of his tongue tentatively touched her pulse point and he heard her sharp intake of breath. "Once we're all done, I'll take you home."

"H-home?" She asked dumbly as she found herself leaning into his light caress.

"Yes, ragdoll... home."

"B-but you don't have to do that, Hawke. I can still catch the 2am bus." Kaoru rushed to assure him that she had transportation when her thoughts suddenly turned to the dilapidated dwelling she shared with Misao. "I'll be fine. Really, you've been up all day AND all night. You ought to go home and get some sleep."

"Hey," His voice turned slightly rough in her ear as he nipped her throat. "I said I would take you home, and I will. I don't want you riding that bus, not after what happened tonight. That fucking maniac could be waiting for you out there somewhere, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Are you kidding?" Blue eyes filled with shocked incredulity turned to stare at his lean face. "After what you did to him? I'd be surprised if he made one city block before he had to stop and clean out his shorts. He's not going to be out there anywhere."

An acrid smile touched Hawke's mouth as he considered her words, but he wasn't going to give in. "Perhaps you're right, but that isn't going to change my mind." Icy blue-green crystals filled with hard warning locked with her startled blue gaze. "I'm taking you home, and that is the end of it. Period."

"But..."

"I said that was the end of it, Kay, I meant it." There was a steely edge to his voice that shut her mouth with an audible 'click' as her teeth came together, and he nodded in arrogant approval. "That's more like it. You should shut-up and listen to me more often, Ragdoll. Our lives would be much easier if you did." A mutinous glare followed him as he walked away, and Kaoru 'humphed' an angry sound that made him chuckle.

She was a hell-cat there was no getting away from that, and Hawke knew he'd pay for his audacity one way or another before he said 'Good-night' to her, but it was the least he deserved for the way he treated her that morning. He winced inwardly as he recalled his cold cruelty toward her when she had obviously been trying to make sense of a very confusing situation. 'You really are an asshole.' He said to himself. 'It's a wonder she's talking to you at all.' Casting a furtive glance over his shoulder, he considered the ebon haired girl behind the register with a sense of anxiety.

'What is the big deal about me taking her home? It's just a ride to her place, and it saves her from taking that bloody bus for once? So, what's the problem? Why doesn't she want me to do it?' Thin raven wing eyebrows furrowed in worried consideration as Hawke tried to figure out what reason's Kay might have to refuse his offer of a ride. Confusion walked through his mind as he searched for a plausible cause, until something very uncomfortable occurred to him. 'What if... Maybe... there's someone there she doesn't want me to see or find out about... would she do that? Would she keep something like that from me? Thinking hard, Hawke tried to remember if Kay had ever said anything to him about a 'boyfriend' or 'close acquaintance', but for the life of him, he just could not recall, but that did nothing to appease his growing suspicions and concern. 'Would she ... would she be like that?' Ice grew around his heart and his jaw clenched painfully. He didn't know the answer to any of those questions.

#

He shrugged into his suit coat and then his long leather trench while he watched Kaoru pull the door of the Diner closed and turn the key. Tim and Eddy had disappeared off into the dark on their way home only a few short moments earlier both vowing solemnly to Hawke that they would help Kaoru out if anything like Wil Fenton ever happened again. The Black Hawke had thanked each of them in his usual icy manner, and then assured both if they did not hold true to their word, he would make sure each paid dearly for their falseness. Kaoru feared at that moment that both young men were going to lose control of their bodily functions, but they had managed to mutely nod in affirmation and then beat a hasty retreat out the front door.

"Why do you have to do that to everyone you meet?" She asked in an irritated voice when she finished locking the door and turned to glare at her silent companion. "Do you enjoy making people be afraid of you all the time? I mean, do you get off on it or something because it sure seems like your favorite thing to do."

"No, it is not MY favorite thing to do." Came his haughty retort as he reached for her hand. "But there are times it makes things a hellova lot easier... wouldn't you agree? Or do you like having slathering, chauvinistic, beer-drinking, white supremacists abusing you all the time?" Kaoru flinched beneath his scathing question-comment, and he snorted in response. "I didn't think so."

"Fine. You can rationalize it however you want to, Hawke, but that doesn't make it right all the time. Sometimes it just isn't necessary."

"When isn't it necessary, Kay? Show me an example from tonight when it wasn't necessary and I'll consider your argument on the matter." Icy aqua-blue eyes bore down into snapping blue pools of resentment, and Hawke waited for the furnace blast he knew was coming.

"You want an example?" Her voice rose on a note of incredulity. "You arrogant... Ok, fine... an example. The way you treated Tim and Eddy. That was completely uncalled for. They are both good kids and didn't deserve to have the shit scared out of them like you did. For Godsake, they looked like they were going to pass out cold when you told them you'd come looking for them if they didn't hold to their word. Jesus, Hawke! What kind of crap is that to say to a 16-17 year old kid?"

"Crap that will make him think twice about breaking his word and make him consider what it means to make an agreement of Honor with another man." Kaoru's head snapped up and she stared at his sharp profile her face a mask of complete shock. "Crap that will make him re-evaluate whether or not he has the guts or the dedication to stand behind his own word, or if he's just another piece of white trash preying on those weaker than him... like Wil Fenton." She stopped walking pulling him to a halt in the middle of the poorly lit parking lot and forcing him to face her. "Crap that will make him think about what kind of man he wants to be. The kind that can be trusted, or the kind that has to hide because he's a worthless piece of shit no one can count on. That's what kind of crap that is to say to a 16 year old kid, Kay. The kind that makes him start to think about the rest of his life, and what he wants to do with it, use it for something decent, or waste it."

"I..." Her jaw worked up and down and then she looked away from him a feeling of shame clogging her throat. "I didn't know."

"I know you didn't. Most people don't. Why do you think most of the kids down here go bad. Kay... Nobody thinks." It was a harsh, cold statement, but as its simple meaning started to sink in, Kaoru began to get a whole new picture of the Black Hawke.

"Your 'Pack'... is that where they come from? From the kids nobody thinks about?"

"Mostly." The voice was edgy and she could feel the hardness of his gaze on her face. "No one else wants them except me, but they have to live up to my standards, my rules, and those things aren't easy. I don't give free rides to anybody; you want help, you work for it, you earn it, you show me you're serious and I'll help you. It's that simple." His stern gaze shifted and fell onto her pale profile. We live by a 'Code of Honor' down here, Kay. It's 'The Code of The Pack' and everybody sticks to it or they get the hell out."

"What is the code?" She asked quietly and waited for him to continue.

"No one is any better than anybody else, we work together for the better of the 'Pack', and no one gets left behind. Betrayal is never tolerated, and if a member lies to the pack... he's gone."

"That's it. No second chances?" Her voice dropped low.

"I am their second chance. I lead, they follow, and that's it."

"There's a lot more than eleven of them then, isn't there?" She stubbed at the asphalt with the toe of her shoe as she considered what he was revealing to her. "Your 'Pack', I mean, there are way more than just the eleven you told me about last night."

"Yes. The eleven I told you about are my 'den' leaders. They help me keep track of the kids in the 'Pack'. There are over 200 of those right now, and they come from all over the city. The slums and poverty districts mostly. That is where the angriest of 'The Forgotten' come from. 'They' are what I do... for myself, and the city. I offer them something to work for, I give them a goal and a chance at something better than the streets, but they have to want it. I don't give second chances away for free."

"Robin Hood, huh?" Her pale face turned back and looked at him for a long moment and then she looked down at his expensive shoes. "But that's not all you do. You're someone important too. Even I'm not stupid enough to believe you're just a social worker in a good suit. Just look at you, Hawke... rich clothes, your expensive apartment. Yeah, you're somebody important."

"So what if I am. What's your point?" His head cocked to the side as he studied her face intently. 'What are you thinking, Ragdoll? What's going on up in your head? Talk to me...'

"What are you doing out here with me?" Her blinking sneakers took her several paces away from him as she chased a small rock with her toe. "What could you possible want to do with someone like me when you look like 'that'? What are you trying to do?"

"I'm trying to take you home."

"Home..." A tight ironic laugh clipped from between her teeth as her voice dwindled away, and she stared across the parking lot at the vacant lot next door. "Why didn't you just let me take the bus, Hawke? Why did you have to go all 'I'm in charge' and make me do this? Why couldn't you just let me go on my own?" 'Things would be so much easier... so much easier... why do you make everything so hard? Why?'

"Why is it such a big deal, Kay? It's just a ride home?" He carefully approached her and slipped one arm around her waist pulling her back against him. An inaudible sigh of relief left his lungs when she didn't resist him, and he dropped his jaw against the side of her head. "Is there something there you don't want me to see... or know about? Is there... is there someone there?" He waited, eyes closed and jaw clenched not knowing if he really wanted to hear the answer to that particular question.

"What?" Her hand came up to cover his where it rested against her belly. "Someone??" She sounded like he had just asked her if she ate rat stew for dinner. "Is... is that what you're thinking, Hawke? That I don't want you to take me home because somebody's there and I don't want you to know? Is it?" The tone rose on a demanding note, and he winced beneath the accusation he heard in it.

"Well, I... I can't think of any other reason you would be so adamant about me not taking you there. I mean, it's just a ride home, for Godsake." He sounded contrite and nervous at the same time, and Kaoru had a hard time not smiling as she listened to him stumbling over his words. "What else could it be?"

"Maybe I'm ashamed of where I live. You ever think of that, Mr. Suspicious?"

Hawke spun her around so he could look into her face. "Ashamed of... what the fuck are you talking about? Why in the hell would you be ashamed of where you live? That is the stupidest thing I ever heard." His hands bit painfully into her shoulders as his anger mounted over what he considered to be pure foolishness.

"Maybe it is to you." Kaoru's chin rose obstinately as she glared into his flashing angry eyes. "But it's true. I live in a really run down part of town; some of your so-called 'slums', and the house I live in looks like... well, it looks like an add for 'This Old House' or 'Demolition's R Us'. Everything in it is broken, it's the ugliest color you ever saw, the steps need to be fixed, and there are rats in the pipes. So, yes, I am ashamed to have you take me there and see where I live. Especially after seeing what you live in. It's like the biggest joke in the world, and ... and I just can't hardly stand the idea of what the look on your face is going to be when you see it."

Hawke was suddenly desperately trying not to smile, but the twinkle in his eyes was giving him away. "Rats in the pipes, eh?" 'Shit! And I was afraid you were hiding another man? This I can deal with, that I can't.'

"Yes, and both the toilets leak." She sniffled and looked away as a blush crept up her neck. "It's a social services nightmare."

"I see." His grip on her shoulders loosened and he gently pulled her against his chest so he could lay his cheek on the top of her head. "Tell me, do you have you own room?"

"What?" She tried to look at him, but he held her fast.

"Answer the question. I assume you have a roommate or maybe two, and I'm just asking if you have your own room?"

"Well, duh. Of course I have my own room." 'What's the point of this conversation?'

"It has a bed in it?"

"Ummm... yes..." 'Hmmmm, what are you getting at?'

"Single, double... what?"

"Double, why?" 'Would you just spit it out before I really get upset.'

"Because I'm too fucking tired to take you home and then drive myself home so, I thought I'd crash at your place for a few hours. If that is Ok with you." 'Please say it's ok, Ragdoll... I'm too tried to argue, and I don't want to say 'Good-night' or 'Good-bye'. Not yet.'

"What??" She squeaked. 'Oh my God! Did you just say....?'

"As long as there is a bed big enough for both of us to curl up in, and I can hold you for a while, Kay, that is all I care about. Everything else is bullshit, understand? It's just bullshit. All I want to do is wrap my arms around you, bury my nose in your hair, and go to sleep. Will you let me do that, Baby? Please?" 'If you only knew how much I hate begging. I can't believe what I'm willing to do for you. What are you doing to me, girl? Why can't I just let you go... why can't I just walk away... and why is it so fucking important that there is no one else in your life except me?? You've flipped me inside out in 3 days. How the hell did you do that? And how come I'm not pissed off about it? Ah fuck. I don't know, just please say yes, don't make me leave you and go home... I don't know if I can.'

"Oh God, Hawke." The sound of tears hitched in her throat and then he felt her arms winding around his torso even as she shifted to bury her face into the warmth of his neck. "Yes, I'll let you do that. Yes... yes..." 'You want to sleep with me? Just hold me and sleep? How can I say no to THAT?'

"Kay." The warmth of his breath against her ear brought a shudder to her body and her arms tightened around him even more. "Can you forgive me for this morning? Can you? I'm so sorry for the things I said. I truly am."

"It's ok." Her lips pressed soft kisses against his throat and her hands gently rubbed his back. "I think we need to forgive each other for what happened this morning. Things are just moving so fast, and..." 'And I feel like I'm about to get thrown off the merry-go-round. I'm scared and I'm excited, and I'm... It feels so good to be held by you. It just feels so good.'

"Yes, yes they are." He pulled back and looked earnestly into her wide blue eyes. "Some things we need to take slower, I think, but..." The words trailed off as he leaned into her and pressed his forehead against hers while closing his eyes.

"But what?" A shiver of pained apprehension quacked through her and her arms gripped him convulsively. "What are you going to say?"

"I'm going to say, that no matter what else happens, I'm not giving up my place in your bed, Kay. I can't." 'Jesus, what did I just say?'

"You... you can't?" 'Oh my God, what did he just say?'

"No, I can't." 'I guess it's the truth. I don't want to worry about when or if I can hold you again. I WANT you, and that's just the way it is... God, I'm in a lot of trouble.'

"Why? Why do you say it like that?" 'I can't breath...'

"Because. Because for the first time in my whole fucking life, I've found something that I want for myself... just myself, and... and no matter how much I might want to, I can't stay away from it. I need you, Kay. I need you in my arms, in my life, and in my bed. I need you. I need the comfort and satisfaction of your body, and your heart, and I need your simple honesty to keep me sane. Are you hearing what I'm saying, Ragdoll? I need you. I need you." 'I've lost my fucking mind.'

Kaoru was crying as she lifted her face up to his. "Kiss me, Hawke." She whispered in a ragged voice. "I need you too."

It was only a matter of tipping his head slightly to the left and then his lips were touching hers in the barest of caresses. A hand rose and tenderly cupped the back of her head as the warmth of his breath filled her mouth, and for the briefest of moments, Hawke faded into the back of Aoshi's mind letting 'him' feel the softness of 'her' acceptance pressing against his body. Her breasts, her hips, her thighs; every inch of her that could be touching him was molding itself flush into the unyielding barrier of his muscular frame, and the desire to become part of her suddenly rushed through his bloodstream making him feel slightly dizzy.

The tip of her top slipped free of her lips and tentatively touched the curve of his lower lip where it rested feather-soft against her mouth, and Kaoru felt the man in her arms shiver. As a hoarse sigh of hunger escaped him, the hand cupping her head pulled her forward and he claimed her mouth in a heated yet tender kiss. A groan of satisfaction rose from both of them as their lips melded together and the tenuous, if not volatile bond between them was reestablished.

"Kay," The voice was a husky whisper against her throat as he buried his face in her hair and crushed her body against his chest. "Does this mean you'll let me take you home now?" She nodded furiously within the embrace of his arm and he pressed soft sweet kisses along the curve of her jaw and cheek bone. "Good, 'cause I'm totally fried, Baby. I'm so tired."

Gently her hands caressed his back through the leather of his trench and she nuzzled into his throat seeking out the warmth and scent of him. "Then let's go." She felt him nod and his hand dropped to find one of hers. "Home isn't much, Hawke, but it's all I've got and you're welcome to it."

"Thanks." He pulled her across the parking lot to a sleek black car that was parked in the corner. Fishing in the pocket of his trousers, Hawke produced a set of keys and unlocked the passenger door. "Get in."

"This... this is yours?" Kaoru stared at the expensive leather interior with wide blue eyes and then turned her stunned gaze back to the man beside her. "You own a Maserati?"

"Yes, I own a Maserati, now will you just get in the car so we can get the hell out of here before I drop?" She nodded mutely and quickly folded her long legs into the small space so he could shut the door. "Thank-you." He sounded slightly frustrated but there was a small smile hinting at the corner of his mouth when he got in on the other side. "What's the matter, you don't like Italian cars?"

"I..." She stumbled for a moment looking for something intelligent to say until she realized he was teasing her. "Just shut-up and drive, rich boy." She growled in irritation. "... and you said I had a 'smart mouth'. Yeah right."

"You do." He winked and started the engine. "But I like it." Kaoru giggled and shot him an amused but embarrassed look from beneath the thick cover of her eyelashes. Hawke reached out and slipped a long gentle finger down the slope of her nose and then put the car in gear. "I need to find something more interesting for it to do besides wise-cracking and snarling at me all the time. He watched with complete male satisfaction as a shocked look of understanding spread over her lovely features and she spluttered into silence. "Speechless twice in one night. I must be doing something right."

"Screw you," She mumbled under her breath as she prayed for the darkness of the street to come and hide her flaming cheeks.

"Later, Baby." He playfully tweaked her hair emphasizing his point. "You know I'll be more than happy to oblige you, but right now I'm whipped so let's save it for a little later when I have the energy to do what I've been thinking about all day."

"What's that?" Blue eyes as big as silver dollars whipped around to stare into his mocking face.

"Why, eat you alive, Ragdoll." One of his thin black eyebrows lifted meaningfully. "What else would I be thinking about?"

"I..." Kaoru squeaked as all of the muscles in her stomach tightened and her nether regions began to ache in anticipation. "I don't know. Never mind. Just drive."

Hawke's eyes glittered appreciatively at the unconscious excitement he detected in her voice. "I will, Baby, you have to tell me where to go."

"Don't tempt me." She threatened, growling deep in her throat and sending a few well deserved shivers of awareness up his spine. "I may just do that."

"But that is what it's all about, Ragdoll." The smile was feral as the heat of his gaze slid sensuously up the length of her exposed calfs, and Hawke was pleased to see her nibbling on her bottom lip in anxious desire when he reached her face. "Even the purest of souls suffer from temptation, little girl. So, I guess the question is, just how pure is your soul, Kay? Wouldn't you rather I took you on an exploration odyssey through Heaven than you would sending me packing off to Hell... alone? Hmmm?"

"You're a Devil." Her smile was wicked and her eyes were dancing as she laughed.

"Yes, I am. Answer the question." Leaning over toward her, Hawke purposefully placed his hand over the heated flesh above her knee and began tracing little circles with his fingers.

"You already know the answer." Was her breathless reply as she tried to stop the tantalizing movement of long nimble digits from coming any farther up her leg.

"I don't care, say it anyway. I want to hear it." He pulled the edge of her trench open farther and let his fingers tickle along the outer expanse of her left thigh. The hitch in her breath told him she was enjoying his little game.

"No," She saucily tossed her head and favored him with a dazzling smile. "I don't have to, and you can't make me." 'Eat that rich boy.'

"Is that a challenge, Ragdoll?" 'So, that's how it is going to be, eh? Alright, you wild cat, the gloves just came off.'

She shrugged. "Maybe. What if it is?"

"You're on."

"WHAT?" She squawked in panic. "What does that mean?"

"It means I'm going to make you say it. One way or another, Ragdoll, before the sun sets on this day, you are going to beg me to take you to Heaven... I'm going to make you."

"That... that's not fair." 'Would you really do that? To me?'

"All's fair." The look that raked her was pure predator and Kaoru shivered beneath its intensity. "So, I hope you get enough sleep this morning because you're going to need it." With that said, Aoshi/Hawke established both his claim to hunt and the promise of her surrender as he returned his wayward hand to the steering wheel. "Now, are you going to tell me where I'm driving to, or do we just curl up in the seats?"

The shocked face looking at him slowly nodded as the directions to her house haltingly dropped from her all but frozen lips, and a drive that usually took 20 minutes was accomplished in just under fifteen. As the sleek black car pulled up to the curb, Kaoru's mouth turned to cotton. She watched in rapt anticipation as Hawke set the brake, opened his door, climbed out of the car, and then circled it to her side. Opening the door, he offered her his hand in a gentlemanly fashion as he waited to help her out of the car.

"Home sweet home," He said in the mocking tone he had been using on her ever since they started the ill-fated 'smart-mouth' conversation. "Careful of the curb, Baby. I don't want you getting injured." His voice trailed off as he placed a passionate kiss against the curve of her throat. "It would displease me greatly, Ragdoll, if something happened that prevented you from enjoying the activities I have planned for later. Oh yes, that would displease me greatly."

"You're awful." She breathed in a shaky voice as her hand rose and rubbed against his chest. "Absolutely awful."

"True, but would you want me to be any other way?"

"No. I think you're practically perfect just the way you are, you horny little devil." A deep chuckle vibrated against her ear and then he was maneuvering her around the car door so he could close it and set the security system.

"I don't know about perfect, Kay, but the 'horny devil' part is true enough."

"Go figure that." She pointed out the broken steps and showed him the best place to walk up so he didn't fall through, and then she pushed the front door open. It 'creaked' and 'groaned' like the run-down piece of crap it was. Hawke eyed the thin wood and hinges in mute displeasure as he walked through.

'She wasn't kidding. This place looks like it's about ready to fall down on top of itself.' He thought as he closed the door into its ill fitting frame. "How do you lock the door?" He asked in a perturbed voice as he looked for a deadbolt and found nothing but a flimsy chain. "Don't tell me you guys think this little piece of shit is going to keep anyone out? You are basically sleeping in here without your door wide open." Kaoru opened her mouth to tell him about the broom handle, but it was already too late. Late night, pissed off weasel was already on the war path.

'Oh noooo... Misao! Shit!'

"No, we aren't, Mr. Fancy Pants." Hawke was still examining the door when the sound of a snide, sharp voice drifted through the room toward him. He stiffened in response turning his head ever so slightly. "Even WE figured we needed something a little better than the chain, so we 'used our heads' and came up with our own way to lock the door. Just because we don't have a big gaudy drop-bar or something like it, that doesn't mean we didn't figure out a way to keep the low-life's out on our own." 'Idiot!'

"Really, and how have you managed that?" Slowly he turned around and trained his icy gaze upon the irritated visage of the small brunette that had just entered the room. She was pretty, but he could already feel her getting under his skin. He would have to find out how good of friends she and Kay were before he went much farther with her, otherwise, he might saw something they'd all regret.

"You see the hole in the floor, Genius? We have to wedge a broom handle into that and then brace the other end underneath that little board nailed on the door. That's how we 'lock' the door, and so far, in the last 3 years, no one has gotten past it. So, I guess it works pretty good, huh?" She gave him a smug look and flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"Pretty good?" Hawke eyed the hole in the floor and then the small piece of wood before turning back to offer the smug girl his scathing impression. "In my opinion, I'd say you were just lucky, but that's beside the point." Apprehensively Kaoru held her breath as Hawke walked across the room and faced off with her spunky hot-heated friend.

"What is the point then, Mr. Wizard?" She snapped as her blue-green eyes glinted furiously up into his icy gaze. Just who did this guy think he was coming in here in his 'fancy-schmancy' clothes and throwing his weight around like he owned the place? "Don't you think us poor little girls can take care of ourselves without one of you guys sticking your nose in and telling us how to do it? Huh? 'Cause I got news for you, Buddy. Kay and me, we do just fine without the likes of you, so stop treating us like we're stupid! We're not! We're..."

"Ok, Ok..." Hawke held up his hands in front of her face effectively stopping her tirade. "I never insinuated you were stupid... you did that all by yourself. All I'm doing is saying that this is a completely unacceptable form of security and it's not going to keep anybody out of here if they want to come in. THAT is my point."

"Well thank you very much for your analysis. What do you propose we do about it? She folded her arms across her chest and favored the dark man with a scathing look. "Our landlord won't fix anything around here, and the two of us sure as hell can't afford a new door. So, unless you got any better ideas, Bright Eyes, mind your own business."

"Jesus..." Hawke turned to Kaoru in exasperation. "Is she always like this?"

"Pretty much, although I think we caught her on a really bad night."

"Great." Shaking his head, he walked back over to the door and pointed at it while catching the angry blue-green gaze of the other woman. "Here's my idea, you little wolverine, I'll replace your door, ut you ever call me 'Mr. Fancy Pants', 'Genius', 'Mr. Wizard', or 'Bright Eyes' again, you and me are going to have a real problem "He turned back favoring a now gapping and speechless Misao with a stern rapier look that had her taking a step back. "I don't function well under those kinds of conditions, Lady."

"Oh... Oh yeah, well... what are you going to do about it?" Misao's usual bravado was failing her in the face of this unexpected icy guest, and a shiver of wariness crept across her nape as their eyes locked one more time.

"I'll turn you over my knee and spank you like the child you're acting like."

"You wouldn't dare?" Her voice rose on an incredulous note and she turned to a bland faced Kaoru for support. "Would he?"

"Oh yeah. Definitely." Kaoru's gaze slid over to the seething man beside her and then back to her friend. "I think I'd back off on the names if I were you, Misao. He's already got a really good one, and that is more than enough... trust me."

"Huh?" The confused girl looked back and forth between the oddly matched couple, and then asked in complete bewilderment. "Who the hell is this guy, Kay?"

"Her new boyfriend," Hawke answered as he grabbed Kaoru's hand and headed for the stairs. "And right now, he's tired beyond human description, testy, and in no mood for your little game of wills. So, Good-night 'Kaoru's Friend', I'll will introduce myself later when we are both a bit more fit for human company."

"Wha...?"

"G'night, Misao." Kaoru waved a hand at the stunned girl as she followed Hawke up the stairs. "We'll talk later, Ok? Get some sleep, you look awful." A moment later the telltale 'thump' of Kaoru's door closing drifted down to Misao and then it was followed by the audible 'clink' of the lock being turned.

Kaoru had just done something Misao had never seen her do. Not once in all the years they had known each other had Kaoru ever brought a guy home out of the blue like this, and she had never taken one into her room until she'd gone out with him 3 or 4 times. This was completely strange out totally out of character for the usually reserved girl, and Misao was nearly exploding with questions.

'Just who the hell is this guy, Kay? Where did you meet him, and what are you doing with a guy whose coat cost more than our rent for two months?' Huffing in exasperation, Misao walked over to the door and pushed the broom stick into place. 'I guess I'll have to wait until later to find out... Shit! I hate waiting.'

##

"Sorry about pissing your friend off down there." Hawke yawned and proceeded to peel his clothes off and drop them over the chair in front of her vanity. "But she really is a short circuit waiting to catch on fire. She basically jumped down my throat for nothing."

"I know. It's Ok." Kaoru hung her trench up in the small closet and then turned around just in time to enjoy the sight of the enigmatic, dark-haired man as he slid naked between the sheets of her bed. "She just has this big chip on her shoulder all the time like she thinks the whole world is out to beat her up or something." 'Oh Hawke... breath Kay, breath.'

"I noticed." He mumbled as he rolled over onto his stomach hugging one of her pillows beneath him. "She's going to get herself into trouble with that attitude if she isn't careful."

"I know, but I doubt she'll ever change." She heard him snort and smiled in response. "She means well and we've been friends for a long time, so..."

"So you put up with her." Icy blue eyes watched fascinated as the beautiful ebon haired girl gracefully stepped out of her comical waitress' uniform. As the garment fell away it revealed full plump breasts encased in an ivory satin push-up bra (as if she needed the help), and a pair of skimpy, pink lace panties stretched around the tantalizing curves of her hips. The high cut in the fabric along the outer thigh left most of her rear end bare to his gaze, and he sighed appreciatively as he enjoyed the view. "I guess I can understand that." 'God, you're beautiful, Kay.'

"Can you?" She asked as she reached behind her to unclip the fastening of the bra. "Do you have a friend like that?" The satiny piece of lingerie dropped and her breasts tumbled free and fully exposed to his eyes. 'Do you like what you see, Hawke? Am I beautiful to you at all?'

"Yes, several in fact, half my den-leaders are that way." Hawke found himself mesmerized by the beauty in front of him as he flipped the covers back and waited for her to climb in next to him. "Sometimes it takes an abrasive personality to deal with these kids. It's the only thing they understand."

"I guess I can understand that too." She replied as she laid down next to him letting him pull the blankets and sheet over her. Once she was settled and he had slid his right arm underneath her neck, Kaoru rolled half-way to her side and faced the man in her bed. "Tell me what sort of thing's do you understand, Hawke?" The deep blue pools of her eye's were looking intently into his face as she asked the multi-meaning question, and his gaze dropped purposefully to her soft pink lips.

"You want to know what I understand?" He asked quizzically and she nodded her head while folding her hands beneath her chin. "Hmmmm, let's see..." He pondered a moment as he decided how to answer her pointed yet vague question. "I suppose I can say you're one of the sexiest and most desirable women I've ever seen, Kay, but I also understand that there has never been anyone in my life quite like you either." Raising up on his elbow, he leaned over her and tenderly brushed his lips across hers. "And I understand that I want you in ways I have never wanted a woman before and it's scaring the hell out of me... so are you."

"Why? Why are you scared of me?" Her hand gently caressed his raspy cheek. "I'm the one who should be scared, not you. I'm nothing to be scared of. I'm just a silly girl."

He laughed and kissed the tip of her nose. "Is that what you are? Damn, and here I thought I'd caught myself a wild-cat by the tail." Kay giggled and leaned up to nuzzle his chin while offering him the best 'purrrrr' she could come up with. "Very funny." Chuckling, he nuzzled her back offering a sensual lick along the curve of her ear. Then he dipped down and playfully nipped the sensitive flesh along her shoulder making her shiver and slide her arms around his neck as she arched up into him. But then he was pulling away and rubbing his nose along the smoothness of her cheek while his hand tangled gently in the hair of her nape.

"Don't be afraid of me." He whispered and kissed her face. "Don't ever be afraid of me. I swear I won't ever hurt you."

"Hawke?" Her voice rose small and tentative and he felt a knot of apprehension tie itself up inside of his stomach. "There is something I have to know."

"What, Baby? Ask me whatever you want."

"The other night... our first time, you were going to rape me weren't you?" Her hands gently stroked through his silky hair comforting him as she felt him stiffen against her. "It's alright, you can tell me."

He swallowed hard and nodded against her. "Yes, I was, but I wouldn't have hurt you. Not like you think. I just needed... I needed an outlet, but I can't really explain why. I just made a really bad choice in my method of action."

"An outlet? An outlet for what?" She tugged on his hair until he pulled back and met her questioning gaze. "What's wrong that you need an outlet, and why is it a violent one?"

"It's... it's hard to explain, Kay, and I can't do it right now. Not yet, but I swear on my honor, I will never hurt you. I swear it." Icy blue eyes begged for her to understand even as he lifted his free hand and cupped her cheek. "Don't be afraid of me. I... I don't think I could handle it."

"I'm not afraid of you. Not like that anyway."

"Then what scares you about me?" He asked as his thumb traced the outline of her bottom lip. "Is it because I'm such an unpredictable asshole?"

"No," She laughed softly and turned her face into the caress of his hand. "I'm just scared you're going to break my heart, Hawke. That's what I'm scared of. I'm scared of falling for you and then you deciding I'm not good enough or something."

"Not good enough?" He turned her face so that she was looking up at him again. "I don't think that is going to happen, Baby. Haven't you figured out yet that I don't care where you live or where you came from. I care about you." That was it. He'd done it. He'd opened himself up and the old wounds inside of his heart quivered in frightened anticipation, but as he looked at her, something changed. Eyes glowing a brilliant sapphire blue searched his face imploringly, and Hawke suddenly felt the same twinge of protectiveness pass through his soul that he'd felt earlier that day. "Besides, you're not the only one whose worried about their heart getting broken, Kay. why do you think I'm scared."

"Don't be scared, Hawke." She whispered as she pulled him down and wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders holding him close. "I won't hurt you either. I promise."

"You won't?" He laughed softly as he burrowed into her hair. "And just how do you know that?"

"Because you're the best thing that ever happened to me, and I don't want to screw that up."

"Kay," His lips trailed a pathway of tender affection along her collarbone and the curve of her throat. "I more worried about fucking things up with my asshole attitude at the moment, and I don't want that to happen either."

"You don't?"

"No." The warmth of his mouth hovered a hair's breadth above her lips and he heard her catch her breath. "I never met anyone like you before, and I don't want to lose you."

"You won't."

"God, I hope not." He covered her mouth in a sweet tender kiss that left her breathless, and then he maneuvered himself against her body so he could bury his face in the hair pooled around her neck, and as he curled his arm around her waist holding her snugly, he felt the loop of her arms loosen to hold him in a gentle embrace. "I need this." He murmured and nuzzled her gently.

"So do I." The softness of her lips pressed reassuringly against his skin as she settled into the feel of him beside her. "So do I."

"Go to sleep, Kay. I'll still be here when you wake up."

"Promise?"

"Yes," His soft laughter vibrated against her neck. "I promise."

TBC

Review Responses:

BelleDayNight: Love you Belle. Thanks for always being there. Hope you like the new chapter.

DarkGodessAluthri: Thank you for taking the time to leave me such well thought out reviews. And thank you for coming back to read. I'm glad you like the A/K pairing. It's my first dabbling at it. I'm usually a dyed in the wool K/K fan/Author, but my friend Belle talked me into an A/K round robin a while back, and I was hooked. Hope you like it still.

Jenni4kl: Hey Jen! Sorry about the White Warrior. If you still want to read it, the whole thing is published on my webpage. No one but you seemed to like it over here. Anywhoo, I'm glad you like this story too. God Bless, girly.

Sephiress: Hey baby girl! Love to see you here. Love to see you anywhere. Glad to know you like this seeing as how you were one of my guinea pigs before I posted. Hope you like this chapter. God bless, baby. Hope things are going good.

Avapon: I continued the story, Ava. I hope you liked it. Thank you for the compliments.

......: Like the name. LOL I'm glad you are 'into' this A/K fic. I hope you like the way it's going enough to keep reading. Still really like your name. It has character. :)

Kres: I'm happy you love it, Kres! I hope you loved this chapter too. God Bless.

Blackshadowz: Cool name! I plan on trying to keep up with this fic. I really enjoy writing it. I like this pairing although I never thought I would. Thanks for the review. Hope you like the chapter.

Megasuper: Did I turn you into an A/K fan? Wow! That's cool. I hope you liked this chapter. It was more full of WAFF than anything. I was in a WAFF mood. Sex in the next chappie. :)

Catti-dono: Hey you! God I love you! Sorry it took me so long to get back to this. I've got so much on my plate right now. Have I told you lately that you're one of my dearest friends? If not, you are. God Bless you and all the support you give me. And as for the Kaoru/Saitou fantasies... hmmmmm... now there's a story. :)

Some Person: I like that. LOL. Thanks for the comment about the plot line. I don't like to write mindless sex stories. I like to write stories that also include mindless sex. :)~

Blonde B-Ball Star: Another A/K lover? Very cool. Thank you so much for the glowing review. It really made me feel good about the story. I hope you like this chapter... Aoshi get's to meet Misao, and although they have sparks clash, they will eventually become hesitant friends. I like Misao... I have always paired her with Aoshi in the past. She is a good person.

KenshinsAngel: Hope you liked the new chapter. God Bless and thanks for reading.

Jodibetz: Your name is sooooooooooo familiar to me. I know I have seen it before in my reviews or on a story I've read. I know this name. Anywhoo, thanks for reading and dropping me a line. I hope you continue to like what I'm writing. :)

Nguardian: Hey Kiddo! I love you, you know. You are one of the greatest kids I know, and you're a good friend too. Thanks for being there and taking the time to follow this old lady all over the web. You are much appreciated for your support. God bless you sweet thing. Tsuki

starearle: Whether it was a review or not... I appreciate everything you said. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the compliment. It means a great deal to me. God bless, I hope you enjoy the story and will drop me another note.

Twishinky: TWISHA!! Twisha... my sweet friend!! AFF is back up!! LOLOLOL! God, its good to see you. I know I already e-mailed you and all, but it is just so good to see you again. I'll be sliding over to AFF to check on you soon. Hope you are doing well, honey. Much love to you always, Tsuki

just another A/K fan: I thank you with deepest gratitude for everything you said about this fiction. I know Aoshi is a little OOC, but I made him that way. Thanks for understanding. Also, thank-you for liking what I did with Kaoru's character. I don't like making her all wussy and wishy-washy all the time. I wanted to give her some depth and solidity. I actually like both of these characters very much, and love to tweak them just a little. I hope you enjoyed this chapter since you were wondering what was going to happen when Aoshi had to confront what happened between him and Kaoru. It is beginning... God Bless, and thank you for reading. Hope to see you again.