Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Samurai Wives ❯ Insecure ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter Three- Insecure

Kaoru slipped into her room. The moon was brilliant, shining through the shoji, though it was waning. She sighed in relief, removing her wrap and folding it neatly.

It seemed that her midnight excursions were yet to be discovered.

She tugged at the knot of her obi, letting it fall into her waiting hands. She folded it slowly, setting it on top of the wrap, and beginning to pull off her kimono.

"Do you honestly wish to die?"

Kaoru jumped, pulling her kimono back around her tightly. She knew that voice. Turning around, her face contorted with fury. "How dare you come into a lady's room? And I was undressing! Don't you even have the decency to turn away when a woman is changing?" She demanded of the boy, who was leaning comfortably against the wall, watching her calmly.

"I have no interest in your body, if that's what you imply. I was told to look after you, but you simply won't let me keep you alive." He stood up, picking up the katana that was lying next to him.

She took a step back, holding her kimono on even tighter. "Stay away from me." She hissed. Most of the men in the Ishin Shishi obeyed Katsura's request to leave her alone because of her insecurity, so telling him to do so would work, in her experience.

His eyebrows rose. "I would, if I were to have things my way. But I have been told to protect you, which you are making increasingly difficult." His hands were tightly gripping the katana. "What were you doing?"

"If it were anything concerning you, I would be sure to inform you."

"I don't have time for your immaturity. If you dropped information concerning this group, then it will circulate into the ears of the Shinsengumi." His tone was grave. "They were the ones who came to your beloved temple, and attacked your fellows." He held out a piece of rice paper. "The names of the ones who died, while they were looking for you. Iizuka-san's people managed to recover their names and bodies. If you desire, I will escort you to a temple to pray for their departed souls in the morning."

She took it, her hands shaking. She hadn't realized that some of the women had died.

A trick… Her mind told her darkly, but something in the boy's tone told her that he was not making anything up.

"I would also suggest that you refrain from leaving without my company. The Shinsengumi holds no qualms in killing you, and it seems that they have Okita Souji and Saitou Hajime looking for you. They're very serious about you, and destroying you." He stepped to the shoji, and then turned back to her. "Other than a warning, there is nothing I can do for you."

She glared at him. "I don't want your help."

"Well, I'd rather not be offering it to you."

"I hate you." She spat contemptuously.

"I'm fairly certain that you do. But that doesn't change my duty." He slid the shoji open and stepped out, slamming it shut behind him.

She clenched her fists. She had never met anyone so infuriating in her entire life. Her kimono fell open slightly as she turned around and continued with undressing.

((()))

The first light of morning shone directly into Kaoru's eyes when she woke in the morning, keeping her from sleeping later than the sun apparently desired. She pulled her cover away, climbing out of the bed.

Chiyo was in her room momentarily, knowing that she would be awake by then. The girl was quiet as she helped Kaoru dress slowly.

"Chiyo-san… is something wrong?" Her voice was quiet.

Chiyo shook her head, but did not smile. "No, Kaoru-sama."

Kaoru did not believe the girl, and as she finished tying her obi, Kaoru turned to her.

"Chiyo-san… something is wrong… what is it?"

Chiyo bit her lip. "Kaoru-sama… it's just that…" She shook her head. "Don't worry about it."

Kaoru was suddenly worried. "What happened?"

Chiyo stared at her hands, as she twisted them. "It's just… it's happened before… some of the men are a bit…" She shook her head. "It's nothing to be worried about."

Kaoru seized her arm. "What did they do? Are you hurt? Did they… they…" Kaoru couldn't bring herself to finish the question.

Chiyo shook her head. "They just… said some things… made to touch me…"

Kaoru felt her temper flare. Men. Even here she could see their cruelty showing, just as it had in the Tokeiji. "Chiyo-san! You can't let them get away with it!"

Chiyo fidgeted. "I can't, Kaoru-sama."

"We can't let them do this to you! Chiyo-san, I saw the women at the temple… I won't let it happen to you!"

Chiyo smiled gratefully. "I appreciate it, Kaoru-sama… but there's nothing I, or you, can do."

Kaoru took the girl's hand forcefully. "Fine then… but I can think of someone who may be able to."

Chiyo's eyes widened. "No! Not Katsura-sama… it's not so bad! I…" Chiyo was obviously terrified, but Kaoru shook her head.

"No, not Katsura. Just come on…" She opened the shoji and pulled her out. "Himura-san!" She called, as Chiyo cowered.

"Himura!" She called again as the teen stepped out of a room, scowling.

"Is there something you need that requires waking me up?" His voice was cool, but obviously irate.

Kaoru almost smirked. Her bodyguard was also evidently not a morning person. "If I have to put up with you, then I want a favor."

He was wearing his wakizashi and uniform. "What is it?"

"Chiyo-san has had unpleasant attentions from some of your comrades. I would like it if you were to ensure that it does not happen again."

Kenshin stifled a sigh. He turned to the girl who was cowering behind that girl. "Who was it?" He asked coldly, and she squeaked and stepped away from him, muttering protests.

Kaoru glared at him. "You're not helping Chiyo-san's problems at all."

He resisted the urge to hit the girl. Or at least roll his eyes. Why did I have to get stuck with the only girl her age with the temperament of an ox? He silently cursed the gods.

"Chiyo-san, who was it?" The sun was hurting his eyes, and his head pounded miserably.

The girl stared at him fearfully, then peeked around Kaoru. "K-Kino-san… and…" She hid her face again.

Kenshin raised an eyebrow. "And Iizuka?"

Her eyes snapped up. "H-hai… How did you know?"

"He and Kino are excellent friends when it comes to things like your case. I believe they went drinking last night…" At the look on her face, and the expectant glare on Kaoru's, he gave in. "I will… speak to them."

Kaoru felt triumphant. Though she felt that he would not be using words to speak to them, but rather be communicating his frustrations upon them with one or both of his blades, she did not mind at all.

Her task was accomplished.