Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Drowning of Thyself ❯ Collapse of Air ( Chapter 6 )

The Stages of Drowning Thyself

 

Part 6: Collapse of Air

 

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Kaoru got out of the cab and looked up at the towering building before her. She clutched to the file for dear life as she wondered whether she would be able to pull this off. Hell, if she would even be able to do anything at all.

 

The Yukishiro Corporation building looked as if though it was made to intimidate. It had a wide walkway in front of it where most pedestrians seemed to skirt around it. Only people who were directly going in and out of the building walked through the path. Everything seemed to be made of a cold white granite, there was a feeling that the building would swallow you whole once you passed through the tinted glass doors. As Kaoru walked up to the front doors, she noticed what could only be the Yukishiro Corporation's emblem- a crouching white tiger with its claws out.

 

Kaoru gave a shudder and braced herself.

 

`Don't start being a coward now! You were so confident with Tae and now you're losing your nerve?' Kaoru chastised herself for her moment of weakness.

 

The inside of the building seemed to be covered with marble that was cold and calculating, there wasn't a bit of friendly atmosphere at all. Everyone looked like they meant business. Kaoru walked up to the reception and saw the list of floors and the offices they held.

 

“Can I help you, ma'am?” A woman's voice asked, she sounded polite enough but her eyes denoted that she was suspicious of Kaoru's presence.

 

To be sure, Kaoru's waitress outfit of black yukata and white apron stuck out like a sore thumb amidst the impeccable suits and ties. She glared at the woman and put on a winningly fake smile.

 

“I'm here to see the head of this corporation.” Kaoru articulated sweetly. “I've made calls but since no one really wants to talk to me, I've decided to take this matter up personally. I'm from the Akabeko.”

 

The woman didn't look as if she knew or cared what the Akabeko was. She dialled a number and looked appropriately bored as she got in touch with several people who also seemed as if they didn't know or cared about the business of the Akabeko. The woman's unfriendly face was starting to grate on Kaoru's nerves. When she had put down her phone, her face became coldly polite.

 

“I'm sorry, but there is no record that the Akabeko has made a meeting with Yukishiro-sama.” The woman drew out a form and a pen, offering it to Kaoru. “If you still want a meeting, you could fill this form and in about a few weeks, you could speak with his representative.”

 

Kaoru grit her teeth and smiled forcefully as she held back from slapping this woman silly.

“No, thank you, then.”

 

The woman turned away from Kaoru and the moment she didn't see her, Kaoru slipped to the elevators, punching a button vigorously to make it close before she noticed she hadn't gone out. The door closed with a soft `cling' and she waited for it to bring her up to the 16th floor. Kaoru furrowed her brows as she wondered how she was going to get into this Yukishiro's office- if he was even in.

 

The doors of the elevator opened and closed as it went up the floors, people streaming in and out steadily. It was noticed though, that no one seemed to be headed to the floor she was going to. Kaoru didn't know if this was bad or good.

 

As soon as she arrived on the floor, she realized that she might have to kick out a few punches if she was going to be able to get a glimpse of this Yukishiro's office. The men and women who were working on the floor looked at her and they knew that she didn't belong there and had no business being there.

 

She stepped off the elevator and walked purposefully to a lonely-looking man sitting in his cubicle. Softening her features dramatically, she pulled the best doe-eyed look she could.

 

“Sumimasen, but where is Yukishiro-sama's office?” She let her voice purr softly as she leaned into him for good measure.

 

The man, obviously stupefied that a woman would ever come so close to him, pointed a finger at an impressive looking set of mahogany doors.

 

She smiled triumphantly and was about to thank him when a large hand landed on her shoulder.

 

“Ma'am,” She looked up and saw a huge security guard glaring down at her, “You're not supposed to be here.”

 

`Kuso.' She cursed.

 

Before she had time to properly think out her plan of attack, her body had reacted instinctively and she had landed a blow to the man's legs, sweeping him onto the floor. At the start of yell, she realized she had gotten herself into more trouble. Kaoru ducked the advances of other men trying to stop her mad dash towards the mahogany doors. She didn't remember if she had broken anyone's body parts but she did get the basic uproar that had exploded while she made her way across the floor.

 

Reaching her destination, she pulled open the doors and shut it close behind her before anyone could reach her. Kaoru saw a latch and brought it down swiftly, turning her back against the door and slumping slightly in relief when she realized from the bangings outside that they wouldn't be able to come in.

 

“Well, well... This is definitely a surprise.”

 

Kaoru started at the sound of the deep, husky voice.

 

She knew that voice from somewhere and when she raised her head she saw a flare of white hair, piercing sapphire eyes and that unmistakable smirk that made all the muscles inside of her tense.

 

“Enishi?!”

 

---

 

It seemed as if though his dreams had materialized before him in one loud bang of his doors. She looked dishevelled, distressed and still unbelievably delectable. He realized that his thoughts had made quite an alliteration out of her appearance.

 

She looked positively furious and he was loving this new side that he had never seen before.

 

“You're Yukishiro-sama?!” She all but yelled incredulously.

 

He definitely smiled at that.

 

“I never knew that it would sound so good coming from your lips.” He licked his own lips at the thought of hers. “If I had known, I would have told you to scream that out at night.”

 

“Don't change the subject!” She was still angry as she started waving the object in her hand - a file of some sort. “You're the one who's trying to sell off the Akabeko!”

 

He lifted an eyebrow, the name sounded slightly familiar.

 

“The Akabeko, you idiot.” He was surprised at her pluck to actually start name-calling him. “The restaurant that you had so sneakily taken away from my friend, Sekihara Tae, and currently trying to sell off to another name!”

 

Well, that meant she was here for business, not pleasure. He was almost disappointed at that. Before he could dwell on those thoughts, he decided to settle things one at a time. Turning back to his desk, he looked through his computer for any file concerning the Akabeko.

 

“What are you doing?” She was walking towards him now. “Are you ignoring me?”

 

He narrowed his eyes at her and raised a hand to quiet her down. His lips twitched slightly in amusement when she gave him a look of utter fury.

 

---

 

How dare he?! Did he just raise his hand at her like she was some sort of child?!

 

Kaoru was fuming. She was livid. She wanted to go up to that arrogantly handsome man and beat some respect into him.

 

She watched as his fingers flew across the keyboard, his eyes scanning the screen of his computer. He didn't even seem to notice her presence anymore. Kaoru didn't know what to think. She had never gotten his last name and she would have never thought him to be the head of the Yukishiro Corporation. That was just some kind of sick cosmic joke.

 

Kaoru watched him work, willing herself to be silent.

 

She knew she might run into him again one day or another, after all, it was a very small world they lived in. She never thought that she would meet him under these kinds of circumstances. She hated the fact that he was holding all the power in their meeting at the moment and that she was reduced to just standing there- waiting for him!

 

There was a beep on his phone and he picked it up promptly.

 

“What?” His voice, when not directed at her, was crisp and detached- almost annoyed at this slight intrusion. “No, I'll handle her. I was expecting her anyways. ...No, you'll do no such thing. Just leave it be and find something else to do.”

 

Actually, his voice was a lot harsher and... cruel when not directed at her. She supposed she should be thankful that all she got was sneering sarcasm.

 

“Alright.” His turquoise eyes finally looked up at her. “I don't see your name as being a part of the Akabeko restaurant...”

 

“I'm just working there at the moment.” Kaoru spoke up, feeling uncomfortable when his gaze started becoming probing.

 

“You're a waitress there?” Enishi's lips quirked into that smirk again. “Interesting. That would explain your outfit.”

 

Her temper flew.

“What did you think then? That I'm here to cook you lunch?!”

 

“Oh gods, no.” His eyes almost sparked in mischief. “I rather like my life to not want to throw it away to your god-awful cooking.”

 

“Why you ungrateful basta—,” Kaoru started before being cut off by Enishi.

 

“Well, getting back to business, since that's what's gotten you to intrude on my work so rudely,” he felt a glimmer of satisfaction at her guilt and unease from his words, “The Akabeko is not such a top priority in my business and I could let that woman have her restaurant again.”

 

Kaoru's eyes brightened briefly before they dulled and warily considered his words.

 

“What's that gonna cost?” She fidgeted, as if she knew that neither she nor that Sekihara Tae could ever produce the amount of money needed to buy their shares back from him.

 

Enishi smiled, and from the look of her face, she knew that he had other ideas about payment.

 

“I am rather pleased to see you again, Kaoru, so I think that I'll be able to let this restaurant go with three conditions that doesn't involve any monetary concerns at all.” Enishi felt his smile turn feral. “If you could agree to that, I'll sign the papers that would immediately return the Akabeko effectively to your friend.”

 

Kaoru's face was an interesting work to behold. Her eyes were stormy and contemplative while her lips pursed into a rigidly straight line. There was a hint of uncertainty and determination to her looks that made him realize that the Akabeko was a small price to pay for having her back again.

 

“What are the conditions?” Her voice almost shook but she was able to show him that she was not backing down without a fight.

 

He grinned. This was going to be fun.

“The first one, is that you agree to the conditions without knowing the second or third. Put your trust in me and I'll sign it now.”

 

---

 

Kaoru felt like screaming. She felt like running around the small enclosed room and screaming, tearing her hair out. No, maybe tearing Enishi's hair out. This man was maddening and manipulative! She was starting to sorely regret her poor decisions that fateful night to agonize herself.

 

But what was she to do? The Akabeko was everything to Tae and there was no way she could find the funds to buy back the share in Enishi's hold. The look on his face had promised her that much. Kaoru was furious that she had to have met with him, out of all people!, to settle this problem.

 

Hardening her resolve, she hoped that she wouldn't lose too much from this bargaining.

 

“Fine.” Kaoru spit out the word, starting to despise that careless smirk on his face.

 

“Good.”

 

True to his word, he found the appropriate documents and with a flourish of a pen, he had signed the necessary papers. Not that she knew what the necessary papers were, she just hoped that he was holding onto his part of the deal and that he wasn't cheating her somehow. She knew he wasn't above tricks and devices but somehow, she had a feeling he wouldn't be pulling one on her.

 

“There.” Enishi handed her the documents and she placed them in her file carefully.

 

She wasn't sure what she was to do next.

 

“Thank you.” The words seemed somewhat appropriate.

 

He laughed.

“Don't thank me just yet. You still have to fulfil the other two conditions.”

 

“How do you know I'll hold up to my side of the bargain?” Kaoru ventured, smacking herself for trying to push him. “I've already got the papers so I can just run out of here.”

 

His grin was not a comforting one.

 

“Firstly, sweet, you wouldn't be able to run away from me that easily. Secondly, it's not in your nature to sink so low. You keep your word. Thirdly, it's my way of reciprocating your trust that I had given *all* the correct documents instead of easily misleading you.” He finished by taking a step towards her. “So, are you ready for your part?”

 

Kaoru balled her hands into fists and met his eyes with a glare.

“Is anybody ever really ready for something like this?”

 

He gave a low, throaty laugh that made her insides somehow dance in anticipation.

“I'll take that as a `yes'.”

 

He closed the distance between them quickly and it took all of her training not to step back away from him. She tilted her head back and continued to glare up at him, though the effect was most probably lost due to her obvious lacking in height. Still, Kaoru was not going to let him have the satisfaction of seeing how he rattled her nerves.

 

“What I want you to do is firstly, stand absolutely still.” His breath whispered against her ear and she had to bite down on her lips to keep from gasping at the sensation. “For exactly two minutes, stand absolutely still- don't speak, don't move, just keep your eyes and all your other senses open.”

 

That was when her nervousness kicked in and she felt somehow frightened of what he could do to her in two minutes. She heard him snicker in her ear.

 

“Scared, Kaoru?” His voice taunted. “Backing down?”

 

That was a challenge if she had ever heard one before. Grimly determined to finish her business with him and never see him again, she planted her foot down firmly and looked into his eyes.

 

“You're gonna have a timer to make sure you don't go above two minutes.” Kaoru spoke, hardness in her voice.

 

“But of course.” Enishi took out his cellphone and after pressing some buttons, showed her the timer which had a two-minute countdown. “Just nod your head and I'll start the timer.”

 

Kaoru felt that this whole ordeal was ridiculous and didn't know why she had gotten herself into this mess.

 

`Tae,' she reminded herself, `You're doing this for Tae- Tae who had given you a job, helped you find a home, and helped you get back on your feet. You're doing this for her!'

 

With that thought in mind, she nodded.

 

“Keep your eyes open.” Enishi's voice lingered in her ear even after he stepped away from her.

 

She knew the timer was running and her mind was frantically going over all the ecchi possibilities that he would do to her. Her body went still as she looked him in the eye and was surprised when, for the first few seconds, he did nothing but stare at her.

 

It was as if his eyes had the power the strip her down and see right through her defences. Those eyes were starting to tangle up all her nerves.

 

When he finally moved towards her, she felt her breath catch as his hands held her face. Her eyes still open, she wasn't sure what to make of the unreadable look in his eyes as his hands moved over face, fingers tracing the outline of her nose, mouth, eyes and then cupping her face again. She shivered slightly at the warm touch of his calloused fingers, wondering how he had acquired such roughened hands.

 

His hands journeyed through her hair, undoing her ribbon and letting them down to her waist. He rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes momentarily as she felt him run fingers through her hair before reaching up to hold her head. She wasn't expecting his lips to touch hers briefly, the chaste kiss different from the ones she had remembered. Her lips tingled from the short encounter and she blinked when his eyes opened so closely to hers.

 

She could feel his hands move down her neck, languishing in the feel of her skin as he watched her expressions. His arms encircled her body as his hands moved to her back, undoing her apron swiftly. She felt the material fall to the floor and wondered how much more of her clothing would come off. Her stomach felt like it was twisting into knots at his almost-touches.

 

Apparently, he only found that piece of clothing resentful as his hands continued to touch her through her yukata. She held her breath as they skimmed over her breast, the touch light and surprisingly made her ache for something more. His hands roamed down to her waist, holding her steady for a little while before sweeping back to brush against her bottom. Kaoru bit her lips to keep from squeaking, mentally forcing herself not to swoon into his touch.

 

Kaoru wondered how much time she had left when his arms went fully around her and held her in a tight embrace.

 

She knew she wasn't supposed to move yet she felt strangely awkward at not being able to wrap her arms around this person. It was an instinctive feeling that was hard to push down and bury.

 

Before she could start thinking again, he drew away from her and his hands quickly undid the ties of her yukata, letting the robes fall open and his hands began a more intimate search of her body. Kaoru's mind went blank as his hands touched her bare breasts, holding them and kneading them quickly before fluttering to the skin of her stomach- his bright eyes did nothing to calm her nerves as he continued to watch her eyes go from focused to a clouded haze.

 

All she could register was the feel of his warm hands against her skin and she bit back another gasp as his hands slid through her panties, brushing the tenderness within only momentarily. His eyes turned pleased and they suddenly disappeared from her field of vision as he lowered himself to her stomach, his lips threading kisses against her skin.

 

She was about to scream in frustration at his feather-light touches when she heard the timer ring and she took a step back immediately.

 

“Hold still.” He ordered.

 

His hands quickly retied her yukata together and, picking up her discarded apron, put on her apron and redid the bow at her back.

 

“That wasn't so bad, was it?” His eyes glimmered with a fierce look of satisfaction at her inability to articulate her thoughts.

 

Kaoru swallowed the mixed emotions that were swirling around and took another step away from him.

 

“What's the...,” Kaoru stopped and gulped, hating the way her body seemed to still be trembling from his gentle touch, “What's the third part of our condition?”

 

Enishi let that smirk come over him again as he followed her steps and stooped down so that she didn't have to tilt her head back too much to look at him.

 

“You're going to leave me your phone number and address. I'll call you to let you when I'll be taking you out for dinner.” Enishi looked particularly pleased with himself.

 

“Dinner?” Kaoru's eyes fluttered before the word registered in her brain. She furrowed her brows, “You mean like a date?!”

 

Enishi smiled that wicked smile of his.

“You're awfully brave when I don't have my hands all over you.”

 

Kaoru ignored the comment and glared at him full force.

“I'm not crazy enough to go out on a date with you!”

 

“Well, that is my third condition and seeing that you've already completed the first and the second, I don't see why you should stop now.” Enishi continued to smile.

 

“That's no excuse!” Kaoru wondered if her words were making sense at all. “I don't want to see you aga--,”

 

She shut herself up promptly, realizing she had let her thoughts slip.

 

Enishi quirked up an eyebrow.

“So you were planning to get rid of me? Well, that's not going to work. Not so soon anyways. Your phone number and your address for a dinner, or the deal is off.”

 

Kaoru squirmed in her place, angry at herself. Angry that she had chosen *this* man to sleep with, not some tame, harmless other man. No, she had so sleep with this man who was anything but safe.

 

She stalked over to his table and, finding a pen, scribbled down her number and address furiously on any paper she happened to see there. Turning around abruptly, she was surprised once again when Enishi's lips covered hers in a possessive kiss, his hands on her, pushing her back against the table roughly as he moulded his form unto hers. His lips pressed her own for compliance and when she finally gave into him, his tongue conquered her mouth and tasted all that she had before leaving her breathless.

 

“That...,” Kaoru panted, gasping out the words, “...wasn't...part... of the deal...”

 

Enishi brushed a hand through her hair and locked her with a fierce gaze.

 

“No, *that* was a kiss.” Enishi bit her nose lightly and spoke against her lips, “To show that I didn't have to be gentle and kind earlier on.”

 

When he came down to claim another kiss, Kaoru realized that she might have gotten herself back into deep waters.

 

TBC...

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Part 7: Drowning

 

Notes: Yay! Got that off my chest!