Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ To Love You Again ❯ Secrets ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Hello, Minna-san!!!!!! Thanks for the reviews! *Hana-chan does her famous happy dance and Kenshin looks at her on a funny way* What? Can't I be happy? This is my first non-comedy fic! I'm so glad that people are taking me seriously!

I answered a few reviews on the end of the chapter, but I had to answer this before:

Yes, this is a reincarnation fic... But it's not like other reincarnation fics. You see... Having memories of your past life (though it sounds interesting for people who doesn't have them) in real life can be a real bummer. What I'm doing here is having the karma and unconscious memories from the past playing a big role on the events and on characters' emotions. I'm not sure yet if anyone is going to have memories of Meiji (real memories, not deja vu. Deja vu everybody has at least once on a lifetime).

By the way... I was sick just before writing this chapter (I got a pretty bad cold). But I'm not writing Kaoru having a cold because I just had one... You can ask my editor! I told her I would be doing this long before I got sick... In fact, I pretty much have a script of things that will happen on the next chapters. If they happen to me in real life, it will be just coincidence.

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin... But it's on my wish list, just after that brand new BMW... Yeah, I'll definitely get both of it for my birthday.
*Kenshin pokes Hana-chan on the arm.*
Hana-chan: "WHAT??? A girl can dream!"
Kenshin: "At least you know it's a dream."
Hana-chan mumbles something that slightly resembles: "I bet the next thing you will say is that you aren't actually here..."

To love you again

6. Secrets

Kaoru woke up but didn't open her eyes. She wanted to sleep a while longer. Her head was fussy and she felt chills on her skin. 'A cold, definitely.' Kaoru coughed and with one hand, she held the fabric of her yukata. 'Wait. This is soft...' She opened her eyes slowly. 'I don't own a yukata... I don't know this room and...' Her eyes fell on a red mane. 'Himura-san?'

He was sitting on the floor, his head has rested against the mattress and he seemed asleep. Kaoru's face instantly turned red and she yelled:

"Hentai!"

"Oro...?" Kenshin opened his eyes sleepily. Instantly he thought it was funny how Kaoru was trying to cover herself up to her head. "Are you feeling better, Kaoru-san?"

"Feeling better?" Kaoru's voice sounded muffed by the covers and the question was immediately followed by a sneeze.

"Hai. You had a fever."

Kaoru dropped the covers just a little, just enough to look at him. He seemed to be talking the truth, even though he had an amused expression on his face.

"I had a fever..." She repeated. 'Well that would explain why I feel so tired and why my head seems so fussy.' "Well, that doesn't explain where I am and why I'm wearing... only a yukata!"

"Tae-san changed you. She thought you would be more comfortable using my yukata." Kenshin yawned. "You had me worried. You slept almost a whole day. I even called Megumi-san. She said that in your state of exhaustion it was common and that I should take you to the hospital if your fever got worse. It didn't."

"You... took care of me?"

"Aa."

"All night?"

"Aa." He replied.

"You didn't have to! And what am I doing here? Well... Where is here? Is this your home?"

"Yes. Tae-san and I had decided yesterday that you would be more comfortable staying here for a couple of days... We even talked to you in the car... Don't you remember?"

"No..."

"I figured you were out at that moment. Never mind." Kenshin sighed. "Tae-san and I... want you to stay here until you are feeling better."

"I couldn't possibly impose on you like this! You already spent the night awake taking care of me. You don't have to do this."

'Two nights awake. One looking for her, one looking after her. I better not mention this. She will feel bad about it.' Kenshin thought, trying to smile.

"I can't repay you for your kindness, Himura-san. I really appreciate what you did for me and what you want to do, but I can't stay here. Besides, I feel great." Kaoru tossed the covers aside and got up. 'Dizzy... Mou! I can't even maintain my dignity?!' She fell back on the bed.

"I guess you are not feeling as well as you say." Kenshin stated, placing his hand on her forehead. "You are feverish."

Kaoru just stared at him.

"Well, you are staying here until you get better. Let's say... A week." Kenshin said thoughtfully.

"It's just a cold! I'll be better in two days! Three tops!" Kaoru objected.

"A week. You have those stitches on your arm. I won't let you back to Akabeko until you are fully recovered." Kenshin yawned again.

"Why? Why are you doing this?"

"You got Tae-san really worried about you." 'I was worried about you too.' He mentally added. "She came by yesterday, but you were sleeping. She said that she would come back today. I don't want Tae-san worrying about you, so you have to get better. We believe that you won't have proper rest staying at Akabeko. So, bear with staying here. For Tae-san's sake." 'And mine.' "Now, lie down. I'll fix you something to eat. You must be hungry."

Kenshin pulled the covers over her.

"I'll be right back." Kenshin said, leaving her alone.

'I must be dreaming...' Kaoru pinched her healthy arm.

Kenshin yawned again when he reached the kitchen. 'I really need some hours of sleep. I had just started dozing when she woke me up. But I could watch her sleeping for the rest of my life.' With that, Kenshin mentally kicked himself. 'Gods... Tomoe was right... I do need a girlfriend. I can't look to a beautiful young woman without having second thoughts about her...'

Kenshin went into the kitchen, thinking of the possibilities for breakfast. 'Cereals? Rice? Miso soup? Eggs? Sausages? Ham? Bread? Jam? Yogurt? Everything? No, she isn't Yahiko. She couldn't possibly eat everything.' He opened the refrigerator and looked inside. After a minute, he closed it again. 'I can't decide what to feed her... Should I ask? Maybe toasts... That's good.'

Kenshin put the sliced bread into the toaster. 'Milk goes well with toasts... He went back to the refrigerator to get the milk, but the doorbell rang. He stared at the intercom with a puzzled expression, before moving to answer the door. 'The damn intercom must be broken again.' He saw Tae on the peephole.

"Ohayou, Tae-san." Kenshin greeted, opening the door.

"Ohayou, Himura-san. How is she? You look like hell."

"She had a fever through the night. She is still feverish... We just woke up. I was making breakfast."

"Oh! I brought some muffins for her breakfast. She seems to like these." Tae showed him the package. "Have you talked to her yet? Did you ask her where she was? Did she tell you what happened?"

Kenshin shook his head. 'I didn't even have even had time to feed her yet...'

"Why don't you talk to her, Tae-san? You know the way, right? I'll get her some milk. I think she will like milk with the muffins." Kenshin went into the kitchen, while Tae walked to Kaoru's room.

She knocked softly on the door, even though it was slightly opened. Then she pushed it a little.

"Ohayou. How are you feeling?" Tae asked, with a big smile plastered on her face.

"Tae-san. It's good to see you." Kaoru smiled.

"You look rosy. Himura-san said you are feverish."

"I feel fine. I'm just a little tired."

"I brought you these." Tae handed her the package.

"Muffins! My favorites!" Kaoru said, cheerfully. "Oh... But I don't think I should eat here... It doesn't feel right to eat on somebody else's room."

Kenshin walked in, bringing her a glass of milk.

"Don't worry about eating in here. Pretend that this is your room. Well, it is your room for as long as you stay here." He smiled at Kaoru, before turning to Tae. "Can you stay with Kaoru-san for a few minutes? I want to buy a newspaper."

"Hai, Himura-san. Just don't take long. I need to get back to Akabeko."

"I'll be right back." Kenshin said, before leaving.

Tae stared at Kaoru and smiled. 'I thought she would be mad at me... Instead, she shows concern.'

"So... Is Himura-san taking good care of you?" Tae asked.

"It seems so. I don't see why I have to stay here, Tae-san... I don't want to be a bother to Himura-san."

"Don't be silly, Kaoru-chan. You are sick. It's not like you are imposing on him. No one made him take you in. He was just as worried about you as I was. Himura-san is a nice man. He worries about people. Now you better eat something. You don't want Himura-san to get worried about you, do you?" Tae smiled.

"But he wants me to stay here all week..." Kaoru said, biting her lower lip. 'And I am complaining because? I have two people taking care of me... I'm lying on a comfy bed... I have something to eat... If it wasn't for this whole situation, I'd call myself the luckiest person alive.' Kaoru took a bite at her muffin. She found out that she was hungrier than she had thought.

Tae watched her while she ate. It was nice to see the girl eating with such appetite. It put her heart at ease.

"Ano... Kaoru-chan..." Tae began, when Kaoru was biting her fourth muffin. "What happened to you?"

Kaoru stopped eating and put the muffin down.

'Maybe I shouldn't have asked...' Tae thought after a moment.

Kaoru sighed. 'I suppose I do owe her an explanation...'

"I went back to a place I shouldn't." Kaoru said, trying to keep from giving Tae too much information. "I wanted a bokken... But there was someone waiting for me. Someone that wanted to harm me. I fled. That's all."

"But if someone wants to harm you, we should call the police."

"No!" Kaoru shuddered. "I went to the police already. They did nothing. Promise me, Tae-san... Promise you won't call the police. I just want to forget this whole thing happened. I want to go on with my life... Please."

"I understand." Tae tried to smile and asked herself: 'Why would someone want to harm her?'

'Please don't make any more questions, Tae-san... I can't stand if I have to lie to you or Himura-san. I don't want to cause you any problem. Don't ask anything else.' Kaoru mentally begged.

They heard the sound of the front door opening and Kenshin's voice saying:

"Tadaima!"

A few moments later, he entered the room.

"I bought you a magazine. I thought you would want something to pass the time." He said, extending Kaoru some sort of teen's magazine.

Instead of picking the magazine, Kaoru reached for the newspaper he was also holding.

"The paper is better." Kaoru smiled.

'The clerk at the newsstand said that this was a popular magazine... I didn't know people her age were interested about news. Well, she did borrow my newspaper at Akabeko the other day. I guess she is interested in more serious things than other people her age.'

"Well, I have to go. Walk me out, Himura-san?" Tae asked.

Kenshin nodded and walked with Tae to the door. She told him what Kaoru had told her, including her disposition to not talk about the incident. Kenshin could only nod. 'She must have her reasons... Poor Kaoru-san. She must have felt so frightened. If I get my hands on who wishes to hurt her, I wouldn't know what I would do... But I'd make him suffer. He would wish he was dead.' Kenshin thought, his eyes flashing amber for a moment.

"I trust Kaoru-chan to you, Himura-san. Take care of her, please." Tae said, before leaving.

'I'll protect her.' Kenshin said to himself, watching Tae leave. He locked the door and went back to Kaoru's room.

She was reading the paper, like she was very used to it. Kenshin just stood by the door and watched her for a few moments.

"Is anything wrong, Himura-san?" She asked, looking up from her paper.

Kenshin shook his head. Kaoru smiled and resumed her reading.

"Yesterday..." Kenshin began, and Kaoru looked at him again. "Yesterday you called me 'Kenshin' when you had that fever. Why don't you just call me Kenshin?"

"Kenshin?" She repeated, as if trying how the name sounded on her lips. She liked it. It sounded natural, but still... "Kenshin-san." 'Kenshin-san doesn't sound nice... Kenshin is so much better.' Kaoru thought.

"No. Just Kenshin. Kenshin-san doesn't fit me, Kaoru-san."

"Iie!" She squealed. "If you want me to call you Kenshin, you must call me plain 'Kaoru'."

Kenshin smiled at her and nodded. Kaoru held a muffin up to him.

"I saved this for you, Kenshin." She said, waiting for him to pick up the food. "I would let you take a sip of my milk, but I don't want you to catch my cold."

"Yesterday, you also told me to not go to Kyoto."

"Did I?" She asked, taking a deep breath.

"You did. It probably meant nothing. You had a high fever at that moment."

"My parents... They died on a car crash. They were coming back from Kyoto." Kaoru said, staring at nothing for sometime.

'I shouldn't have asked her... It reminded her moments of pain and suffering. I'm a dork.' Kenshin thought, but Kaoru looked at him and smiled brightly. He felt that the memory didn't bother Kaoru that much. 'Probably only a sad memory. A scar that doesn't hurt so much anymore.'

"May I sit?" Kenshin asked, nearing the bed.

"Hai." Kaoru answered her face turning pink. 'I don't know if I'm feverish because I'm sick, or because he is near me... Gods... I think I kinda like him.'

"Can I have the sports section, Kaoru?" Kenshin asked, biting the muffin. "Or I will have to read this magazine?"

He looked at the cover of the magazine.

"I think I'll read the magazine..." Kenshin smiled. "It teaches home made skin moisturizing techniques. I guess I need this..."

Kaoru just looked at him by the corner of her eyes. 'He's joking, isn't he? Of course he is...'

"You may have the sports section..."

"And the business section, please... Unless... Do you follow the stock market?"

"Oh, yes... I'm a big investor. Can't you tell by looking at me?" She smiled sweetly.

"Okay... You may read it first..." Kenshin said, closing his eyes. "I'll just doze for a minute, until you finish."

Kaoru thought he was joking, but he didn't move for several minutes. She listened carefully to his breathing.

"He's sleeping..." She muttered, pulling the covers over him. "Maybe I should take a little nap too..." She yawned, leaning her head on his shoulder.

***

Kenshin stretched his limbs and yawned. 'That was a really good nap... In a long time I don't sleep this much during the day. Well... I don't remember ever sleeping this much during the day.' He opened his eyes and realized he was in the guest room and Kaoru wasn't there. 'Where is she? Did she leave? Of course she did... I'm so stupid! Why did I have to fall asleep in her room. I scared her away.'

He jumped from the bed, feeling dizzy for getting up so fast. But that didn't bother him. He wobbled to the living room. 'I have to find Kaoru! Where did she go? Is she back to Akabeko?' He felt a strange smell. 'Is she in the kitchen?'

Kenshin stopped by the kitchen's door. There she was, moving from side to side, cooking something that could be called food, if it wasn't so burnt.

"Mou!" Kaoru let out, while turning off the stove.

There was a dark smoke coming from the frying pan. She felt like breaking down and crying. "Is something wrong?" Kenshin asked.

Kaoru turned around to see him standing by the kitchen's door.

"Everything is wrong!" She answered. "I don't know where you keep the food... It took me so long to find some things that I let the fish burn! I'm a complete disaster! That's it, I'm going back to the Akabeko. Good-bye."

She intended to leave the kitchen, but was interrupted by him placing his hand over her shoulder.

"It's okay." Kenshin smiled.

'It's not okay. I wanted to do something nice to thank you... But I can't not even do this right. I'm a terrible cook. I can't do anything right.' Kaoru bit her lip.

"Let's clean this up and order some food. Unless... You want to try again?" Kenshin asked.

Kaoru looked at him and smiled. He really was a nice person.

"No, thank you. I..." She began, but was interrupted by a sneeze.

"I think you are going back to bed... And I'll make you some soup. It sounds better." Kenshin placed both hands on her shoulders and drove her back to the bedroom.

He tucked her in, making sure she was comfortable. Her cheeks were pink and Kenshin placed a hand on her forehead, to check her temperature.

"You don't have a fever anymore." He stated. "I'll go make that soup. You rest."

"It isn't fair..." She sneezed again. "I made a mess on your kitchen. I should clean it up."

"You can do it some other day. Just rest and get better fast, okay?"

Kenshin moved to leave, but she held his hand.

"Arigatou, Kenshin. For everything you are doing for me." She smiled.

"You don't need to thank me... Your smile is already more than enough." Kenshin said and got amazed that he had actually said that out loud. He looked at her, hoping that she hadn't think his words were too weird or he was too forward.

The door bell rang before she could react to his words. Kenshin easily removed her hand from his and walked away. Kaoru looked at his retreating figure, still confused by what he had just said. 'Perhaps he really is like Tae-san said... He worries about people.' Kaoru sighed. 'But I really don't feel like lying down. I already lied for too long...' She tossed the covers aside and got up.

As Kaoru approached the living room, she could hear Kenshin's voice.

"She is resting right now. I'll tell her you dropped by." He said.

"Could you hand her these?" Asked another male's voice that was very familiar to Kaoru.

She went towards the door, with a big smile on her face.

"Seiji-kun!" She said. "I'm glad to see you!"

"How are you feeling Kaoru?" Seiji asked.

"As good as new. Thanks to Himura-san, of course." Kaoru said.

Kenshin felt his eye brow twitching. Not only Kaoru was too friendly with that young man, but he was back at being called 'Himura-san'.

"I brought these for you." Seiji handed her a small bouquet of flowers. "I hope they can make you feel better."

"They already do. Thank you very much." Kaoru was contemplating the flowers.

Kenshin found himself glaring at Seiji. How did he dare to bring Kaoru flowers? 'I should be the one to give her flowers.'

"Would you like to come in, Seiji-san?" Kenshin asked, trying to make himself noticed.

"Iie. I can't stay. I need to go back to Akabeko. Tae-san is alone. I just wanted to see how Kaoru was doing." Seiji answered.

"Oh... But you are going to come again, aren't you?" Kaoru asked, with a disappointment expression on her face.

"If you want me to."

"Of course I want." Kaoru answered, flashing a bright smile.

"Ja ne, Kaoru-chan, Himura-san." Seiji said before leaving.

'Kaoru-chan? I don't like this kid.' Kenshin thought, glaring at the back of Seiji with amber eyes.

"Kenshin..." Kaoru called, with a concerned expression. "Is something wrong?"

"Iie. Nothing is wrong, Kaoru-dono."

'Kaoru-dono?' Both mentally asked themselves at the same time.

"Do you want me to put your flowers in the water?" Kenshin asked, trying his best to smile and hoping that he didn't look goofy when he did it.

'What's with that goofy smile?' Kaoru asked herself.

"Arigatou." She thanked, handing him the flowers.

"I'll have to drop by my office later. Do you think you can stay home by yourself? I promise I won't be gone for too long."

"I think I can handle."

***

Kaoru yawned. She was feeling very bored. 'I hate to be alone... I hate when I don't have anyone to talk to...' She flipped the pages of the magazine Kenshin had bought her in the morning, without really paying attention to the articles.

'It's early, but maybe I should try to make dinner. But what if I screw up things again? Kenshin would think I have no talent as a cook. Perhaps I don't... But that doesn't mean I'll just give up. I have to find a way to thank him for what he's been doing for me. I have to find a way to thank Tae-san too.'

The door bell woke her from her daydream. 'Should I answer it? Of course, baka!' Kaoru walked to the door, muttering: "Coming..."

Kaoru opened the door and found herself face-to-face with a beautiful woman wearing a beige skirt with a matching blazer over a white silk shirt. They both stared at each other for a long moment.

"Who are you?" The lady finally asked.

"What? Who are you?" Kaoru shot back the same question. 'She does look familiar, where have I seen her before?'

'Who does she think she is to answer a question with the same question?' The lady thought, slightly annoyed. 'She is wearing a yukata... It's big for her, it's probably Kenshin's. I'm probably interrupting something.'

"Please forgive my manners. I wasn't expecting to see someone other than Kenshin here."

"You are Kenshin's friend?" 'I hope she isn't his girlfriend.' Kaoru thought, feeling a chill.

"Hai. I used to be his wife. My name is Tomoe. Who are you?"

"Kaoru. You are Yahiko's mother!"

"You know my son?" Tomoe asked, feeling somewhat surprised. 'First Kenshin says he isn't seeing anyone. And now there is a girl in his apartment, wearing a yukata and she knows Yahiko.'

Kaoru only nodded. She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, she would instantly call him a brat and she wasn't sure his mother would like that.

"Is Kenshin here?"

"No. He left for work a while ago."

"Oh... It seems that we missed each other. I came here because he wasn't at work."

"He said he was going to come back soon. Do you want to come in and wait for him?"

"I would appreciate that." Tomoe said, walking pass Kaoru.

They went to the living room, where they sat in uncomfortable silence. 'She is so beautiful.' Kaoru thought. 'Everything about her is perfect: her hair, her makeup, her clothes. I want to be just like her someday.'

Tomoe was also measuring Kaoru silently. Finally she decided to break the silence.

"How long have you known Kenshin?"

"We met last week." Kaoru replied, smiling.

'So soon? I always thought Kenshin was slow for these kind of things.' Tomoe thought.

"And you already know Yahiko?" Tomoe asked.

"I met Kenshin and Yahiko at the Akabeko." Kaoru said.

"The Akabeko?"

"It's a small café nearby. I work there."

Tomoe merely let out an 'oh'. Once again there was silence. Kaoru suddenly felt embarrassed that she was wearing only a yukata, while that beautiful woman was so nicely dressed. She also was feeling embarrassed that her hair was messy from lying all day long. Tomoe's hair was tied on a bun, a few strands falling free around her face. She was a classic model of beauty. Something that Kaoru couldn't match, not even if she tried. The younger woman sighed and then sneezed.

"You have a cold. The weather hasn't been good lately." Tomoe said, matter-of-factly.

"I was caught in the rain."

"Kenshin does the most wonderful lemon tea. It's very good if you have a sorethroat. Did he make it to you?" Tomoe asked.

"No. He made me soup."

"You should ask for his tea. You will get better really soon."

"That would be good... I don't like to be a bother to people... Kenshin spent the night awake taking care of me, because I had a fever."

"He does that... I never knew why, but he worries too much. And it isn't just when we are sick."

"I already noticed that. He keeps insisting, even if we say that everything is okay."

"But he is a good person."

"There should be more people like him in the world."

"Definitely." Tomoe agreed smiling.

***

'Should I have left her alone? What if she gets another fever and I'm not there to take care of her? I'll just sign what I have to sign, attend to more urgent business and go back home. Maybe I should call to check on her. But what if she is sleeping? I don't want to wake her up. I'll just let her rest. I did leave my number by the phone... But what if she is too shy to call if she needs anything? I should call to check on her... But what will she think about that? Maybe she will feel like I'm suffocating her. Argh! This is so difficult! What if that Seiji came back? He could be a pervert.

'He would knock on the door. Kaoru would answer. She is polite. She would ask him to come in. Once inside, he could attack her... Take off her clothes and... I would kill him if he laid a finger on Kaoru. That's it, I'm calling home and telling Kaoru to not answer the door.'

Kenshin dialed his home number. After a few rings, he heard his own voice on the answering machine. 'I guess she is sleeping... Or that, or she is being attacked by a pervert. I must stop with these hentai thoughts. They are no good.'

"Kaoru? Are you there? Pick up the phone." He waited, but got no answer. "I'm just calling to let you know that I'll be home soon. I wanted to know how are you feeling. If you need me, don't hesitate in calling."

Kenshin hang up the phone.

'This is stupid... She is not going to check my messages... She'll think it's too personal. I must give her my consent.'

Kenshin got back at signing the documents over his desk, but his mind kept drifting back to Kaoru. Finally, he got up and exited his office.

"Kamatari... Do you remember the girl that delivered coffee here the other day?" He asked his secretary.

"Really beautiful. Dark hair, blue eyes."

"I guess you remember her. Do remember her size too?" Kenshin took his wallet from his pocket and removed his credit card. "I want you to buy her clothes."

"Anything special?" Kamatari frowned.

"No. Buy everyday clothes, underwear, socks... Buy her a yukata too. Choose things that will look nice on her." Kenshin handed Kamatari the credit card. "Come back soon. I want to go home before it's dark."

"No problem."

Kenshin walked back to his office. 'Should I try to call home again? Maybe I should get a hold on myself. It's not like Kaoru is in danger or something.' He looked at the unfinished work over his desk. 'I should finish quick. That way when Kamatari comes back, I can go home.'

***

"Tadaima!" Kenshin called when he opened the door. He was carrying a lot of packages. 'Note to myself: never let Kamatari take the credit card without specifying exactly what you want her to buy.'

"Okaeri nasai!" Called a familiar voice from the kitchen.

'Oro! Tomoe?' Kenshin left the packages on the living room and went into the kitchen to find Tomoe cooking, while Kaoru was sitting on a chair, leaning over the table. Her face was pink again.

"How are you feeling?" Kenshin asked, before saying anything else.

"I'm okay." Kaoru replied.

"Good evening." Tomoe greeted.

"Hi, Tomoe. How are you?" Kenshin asked politely, before turning his attention back to Kaoru again. He placed his hand over her forehead. "You have a fever again. You should lie down."

"She should eat first." Tomoe said. "It would do her good to put some food into her system. You should eat too. You look thin. I don't want you getting sick too. Who would take care of you and Kaoru-chan then?"

'Kaoru-chan? How long has she been here? Maybe people that know Kaoru instantly feel like calling her that... Probably it's because she is so sweet.' Kenshin lost himself in his thoughts for a minute.

"Will you set the table, Kenshin?" Tomoe asked.

"I'll help..." Kaoru said, getting up.

"No." Kenshin interrupted her. "You don't have to."

'Why does he seem so serious? Did something happened?' Kaoru asked herself, as she watched Kenshin setting the table. She thought the way he glanced at Tomoe was strange. She didn't exactly know why.

"Kaoru? You don't look well." Kenshin said, worried. "Come on, I'll take you to bed. When the food is ready I'll take it to you."

Kaoru opened her mouth to object, but Kenshin seemed very serious about it. She decided it was best to do what he had said and besides, she wasn't really feeling well. 'I'll do what he is saying this once, but he better not to think that he can tell me what to do...' Kaoru thought, before following Kenshin away from the kitchen.

He set her on the bed, like he had done earlier that day.

"What's wrong, Kenshin? You seem so serious." Kaoru asked.

"Do I?" He scratched his head. "I didn't notice. How did you spend the afternoon?"

"Fine. I was bored out of my mind and then Tomoe-san arrived. She is enchanting."

"What did you talk about?"

"Stuff..." Kaoru said, thanking that she had a temperature, that way he wouldn't notice if she was blushing.

"Oh... I just remembered something. Don't go anywhere." Kenshin said, leaving the room.

'I shouldn't tell him Tomoe-san and I were talking about him, ne? He would probably give me a weird look that would make me want to hide under the blankets like this morning.'

Kenshin quickly came back to the room, carrying some packages.

"I got you some clothes. Tae-san and I noticed that you didn't have many clothes."

"You shouldn't have!" Kaoru objected.

"Of course I should. I don't want a woman walking naked around my house... Though it would be quite interesting." Kenshin said without thinking, just to blush later.

Kaoru also blushed at what he said.

'Note to myself: think before speaking, baka.' Kenshin thought.

"I'll go check on dinner." Kenshin said, to cover his embarrassment.

Once Kaoru was left alone, she got up and undid the packages he had brought. The clothes were nice. Most of it had cheerful colors. 'Just what I needed... Now I owe him more than before...' Kaoru let out a loud sigh, before opening the last package.

"What?!" She half shouted in surprise. 'What to think when a man gives you black underwear?'

"Kenshin no hentai..." She muttered, under her breath.

***

Kenshin got back to the kitchen. He looked at Tomoe and couldn't help but to compare his former wife's cooking skills to Kaoru's. He knew that Kaoru wasn't a good cook, it wasn't necessary knowing her too much to realize that.

"Kaoru is a charming young person." Tomoe said, turning off the stove.

"She is." Kenshin agreed.

Tomoe turned to Kenshin:

"I hope you know what you are doing." Her face was a display of deep concern.

"What do you mean?" Kenshin asked, puzzled.

"How old is that girl?"

"Kaoru? She is going to be eighteen in a week."

"I can't believe you... An underage girl."

Kenshin stopped breathing for a moment. Then he burst into laughter.

"Are you jealous, Tomoe?" He asked.

"No. One thing has nothing to do with the other." She stated, calmly.

"I have nothing with Kaoru. Nothing at all! I'm letting her stay here this week, while she is sick!"

"In that case... You shouldn't have left her alone. What if she had gotten worse and I wasn't here?"

"I know... That's why I came home early. I wasn't comfortable about leaving her alone. Why are you here, Tomoe?"

"To talk about my marriage."

"So soon?"

"Why not? It's not like Akira and I have to save money for it... He is a brilliant lawyer after all."

"I know. He used to be my lawyer, remember?"

"You'll never let go of this, will you?"

"You know I've forgiven both of you." Kenshin sighed. "Let's bury the past. I wish you happiness... But I thought you would wait, at least until Yahiko gets used to the idea."

"He is old enough to understand. I don't want to have a long engagement. I feel like I already have wasted too much time."

"Thanks a lot." Kenshin mocked, faking a hurt tone of voice.

"You know what I mean. We divorced a long time ago. Also, I had time to figure what it was that I really wanted."

Kenshin couldn't do nothing but nod.

"I want you to be there... when I marry Akira. It would make me happy." Tomoe took out the apron she was wearing. "I'll send you an invitation, as soon as we get the invitations ready. I only came here today because I thought you need time to get used to the idea... And time to get a date. Perhaps I was wrong about the later."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You can take Kaoru-chan. She is nice. But... don't get involved with her, will you?"

"I'm not planning on that."

"Good. She is too young. The younger they are, the more complicated things get. And don't give her the wrong idea... I had the impression that she cares about you. Maybe you shouldn't be so friendly towards her."

"I'll try." Kenshin replied.

"I need to go. I'm already late." Tomoe said, picking up her purse over the table.

"Aren't you going to stay for dinner?"

"No. I already have plans. You are still going to pick Yahiko up on the weekend, aren't you?"

"Of course."

***

'I give up... I searched everywhere she could be. Every person she used to know. From her old life to the new one. No sign of her. Maybe she is smarter than I ever thought she was and she doesn't need as much protection as I always used to think. No.

'Since this thing started, she has shown how strong she is. I'm afraid that because of that strength she might think that she can handle it by herself and this could be her doom. How can she manage by herself? She is only my baby cousin.

'Damn, I have to find her... There is no way she can survive the world out there alone. Specially with so many people chasing her. She probably doesn't have a clue how deep this stuff goes. I just hope to reach her in time.'

Sano opened pressed the button of the elevator. He was too anxious to wait for it to arrive, so he took the stairs. 'Only three floors, anyway.' Once again his thoughts drifted to his cousin. He was thinking too much of her lately. 'Kuso... I'll never forgive myself if something happens to Jou-chan. I was supposed to protect her.'

When he took the keys from his pocket, he noticed that the door was slightly open. 'Tsunan!'

Sano pushed the door open slowly. Papers were scattered on the floor, furniture was broken. A black smoke was coming from a computer. He saw the feet of a man on the floor, next to the couch.

"Tsunan!" Sano kneeled next to his unconscious friend. "Tsunan! Wake up! Please don't die!"

Sano felt something cold pressed against the nape of his neck.

"He isn't dead... yet." Said a cold, familiar voice.

Sano turned his head, just enough to see who he was talking to.

"It's you..." Sano said.

"Of course it's me, ahou. Who were you expecting? Santa?"

"You fucking cop!"

"Watch your mouth. Did you forget that I'm the one holding the gun?"

His smirk said it all. He didn't care about Sanosuke, Tsunan or whatever happened to them.

"What do you want?"

"You know what I want." The man replied. "And you are going to give it to me."

Tsunan moved a little, what caused the man to look at him for a second. On a reflex, Sano turned and hit the man's hand, sending the man's gun flying across the room. Within a second, Sano was up and facing him.

"Now, that was stupid. You really are an ahou. Do you think you can take me on?" The man seemed amused.

"You are all talk and no action!" Sano said, raising his fists and charging into attack.

The man easily dodged Sano's blow and counterattacked, punching him on the face. Sano got even angrier. He landed multiple blows, which the man easily blocked with his forearms, making it impossible for Sano to actually hit him.

'Kuso! This guy is a fighting machine! I can't get through his defenses... But I have to go on... I need to protect Jou-chan.'

The man only laughed when Sano finished his attacks. "Is that all you got? My turn." He mimicked Sano's attack, but was able to land every single blow. The last one hit Sano on the chin, sending him flying back, landing on the floor with a very loud thud.

"Feh. It isn't fun to fight you. You know nothing of basics defense. I wonder how you survived on the streets."

"We are not over yet." Sano said, getting up.

"So, you can still stand. I doubt you can still fight, though."

Sano let out a loud battle cry. He ran towards the man, readying a punch, which was easily dodged. His opponent held his arm and threw Sano in the air. Holding Sano's wrist behind his back, the cop easily immobilized him.

"I do suggest you tell me where it is... Otherwise, I'll kill your friend. And believe me... I have no interest in making it a quick death. And if your friend's life isn't enough to convince you, I'll chase down that cousin of yours and kill her too... Or maybe I should just turn her to the yakuza? I heard there are a reward on her."

"Keep Kaoru out of this!"

"Actually, I can't. She is the second thing I must retrieve from you... Maybe if you give me what I want, I can give her some more time to try to escape. Not that she will be able to, but..."

"I don't have it with me!"

"What a shame! I guess I'll have to kill your friend, then."

"Wait! No!" Sano yelled. "Let's make a deal!"

"I'll give you a week to get me what I want. Do you understand? And not even think about getting away, because... you won't. Give it to me and I'll consider letting you get away with your life. But don't get too happy, the yakuza won't let you live... Nor your baby cousin. Think about this. I'll contact you in a week."

Sano waited until the door was closed before he got up. 'Shit... We are in deep trouble.' Tsunan also started getting up.

"You heard it?" Sano asked.

Tsunan merely nodded.

"What do you think?"

"We are in deep shit. Either way we are dead."

"We can't stay here anymore. We have to find some place else... What are you going to do about Kaoru?"

"I still need to find her. And the cop did give me a good idea. I have some friends at the docks... Maybe I could get her on a boat to China."

***

The cop left the building and stopped for a moment to light his cigarette. Only then he walked to a car that was parked outside and got in the passenger's sit.

"Did you get it, Saitou?" The driver asked.

"It wasn't there." The cop answered, calmly inhaling the smoke of his cigarette. "We'll keep an eye on that Sanosuke. His friend said he doesn't know where the girl is. We'll let him find her for us."

"Then what?"

"Then we can have everything we want."

=======

Hi, Minna-san... Before anyone decides to pick on me, yes, I do know that Kamatari isn't really a woman. =^x^=

Oh! Kathie does this, so I'll just steal her idea (you forgive me, ne?). Someone told me that almost missed my update, so if you want me to let you know when I update, leave your e-mail on a review.

Special thanks to: Kathie (my editor), Firuze Khamune (my beta-reader, who co-edited the end of this chapter) and Jo-chan (beta-reader for this chapter. I hope you are feeling better about that awful robbery thing).

I loved all my reviews! You reviewers are great people (it's a pity I can't answer all reviews here).

Inuki: I already answered on the begining of this chapter, but I'll repeat: past memories won't dominate my fic. =^x^=

Bao-chan: It's not that Isabel got to me... I have always been a bit hentai... Hehehehehehe

SyiveSe: Thanks! You made me blush! Thank you so much for your kind words!

Mara: Please bear with me and my problem to describe violence... =^x^=

Ruby Hatchet: Sorry to keep you waiting so long... It's hard to write this genre.

To everybody else: Thank you for the reviews. They really make my day (specially when I get sick for the second time in a month. Yes, I know... My immune system is a bit low... The weather changes didn't do me any good). They say that being happy puts endorphins on your system... and that endorphins make your immune system work better, so... reviews make me happy. Please review and make me healthier. =^x^=