Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Wanderer ❯ What Are You Doing To Me? ( Chapter 10 )

I have to apologize for the long periods of waiting, this second semester of school seems to be a lot more than I can handle. I have to admit, I'm going to have to break my promise of posting once a month. My work/school schedule has suddenly gotten much to full for my tastes, and I won't have much time to write at all (at least not until AP tests are over.) I'm terribly sorry.

 

WARNING: contents contain profanity!

 

“What do you mean, he's not here?!” Shijin's father, Udel, barked...

 

Narrowed eyes glare at Uneki, as if Kenji's refusal to join them were her fault. She lowered her eyes, bowing her head and allowing the raven silken locks to frame her shoulders and curtain her face. “Forgive me…” She mumbled to her father in law; voice--- soft and feigning subservience. She rather hated the man, whatever affection she had had for him those long years ago had dissipated. Perhaps because he so resembled the devil's advocate, perhaps because he had sold his soul. She hated that he placed all blame on her, as the child was technically of her borrowed body. If he had only told her more about this Kaoru, perhaps she might have impersonated her much more effectively. She felt a hand grasp hers, a rough thumb rubbing against her palm. Peeking a gaze at the young man who sat next to her, she smiled slightly. Shijin always knew how to make her feel better.

 

“Father, you can't blame her… The boy is merely stubborn, probably got it from that bitch of a mother.” Shijin commented to his father. He turned his face, burying his nose in Uneki's hair, and whispering into her ear, a faint smile appearing as she giggled. He ignored the scowl his father shot him, and continued to relentlessly lavish flattery upon his lady.

 

Udel was losing his patience, and he knew his children were aware of it. His fists, placed in his lap, clenched, and jaw tightened. They acted like they were the age of their bodies, pathetic. His left eye began to twitch slightly, and he closed the narrowed orbs to keep them from seeing his impatience. It would seem he had not taught his son enough respect for his elders, nor gratitude. “Well… aren't you going to get him, son…?” His voice was low, dangerous. Something about the mortal realm made him agitated. He wished to see this grandson of his, and from what he had heard... the boy would be a perfect heir. While he loved his son, or at one time had loved his son, the poor fool was nothing compared to the Battoussai in prowess and would be a poor ruler once he had taken over the mortal realm. He had changed into a red gi, and black hakamas. A katana lay tucked beneath the belt of the hakama. In truth, he much rather preferred his armor, but it was best to fit in for the time. Once he had taken control, he could dress as he pleased.

 

“As you wish…” Shijin stood, bowed respectfully to his father, and withdrew, leaving Uneki with his father.

 

The two sat there in silence for a bit, contemplating. Uneki seemed to have developed a strong interest in the grains of the table. Udel, in turn could not cease his scrutinizing gaze upon Uneki. His daughter-in-law seemed so different now. More beautiful, and eyes just as chilling as before. He had to admit, Kamiya had been a work of art. Never before had he seen a woman with the strength and charisma, Kamiya possessed. In truth, there was more to his want of meeting this Kenji. When he became ruler, he would need a queen by his side. Kenji was the key to securing her place by his throne and would make a fine wedding gift. A soft voice drifted into his ears.

 

“Shijin and I… shall never be able to begot a child of our own, will we…?” Uneki's gray eyes peered up at him through curtains of lashes. Her hands were folded within her lap, and raven hair spilled across her shoulders. Where as a moment ago, she was in blissful joy within the arms of Shijin; her expressions had dampened into a sad and regretful brooding. She had smiled for Shijin, and did not wish to mention what she was about to ask their father to him.

 

He eyed Uneki. She had always been smart. He commended his son for his choice in a spouse. “You are not real…” The two lovebirds were in truth a manifestation of their hosts' dream form. While they appeared solid and alive, they were a mere physical hallucination. If the two were to begot a child, the babe would be soulless. They could make a child, formed of illusions, however only real and living bodies could give it a soul. And that was the aspect that they lacked.

 

“So…Kenji will fill the spot of the son we can never have...” She murmured, and then glanced up at him. What she saw written within his face dampened her mood even further. The truth often hurt. “You plan to have him for yourself...” Her eyes narrowed, angered.

 

“Kenji will never look to you as his mother. You lack her spirit and warmth. No matter how much I bend and control his will, his image of her shall never perish. We can will him to do what we bid, but he will only love her and her alone. If he had only harbored the tiniest bit of hate for the woman and love for you, we could change that. However, that is not the case.”

 

She could feel her skin breaking beneath the pressure of her fingernails. Digging them into her palm, she stood, bowed, and retreated in fury. The door slid shut, the slam reverberating in the room as the elder man sat, obviously amused. Perhaps his daughter in law did carry a bit of temper quite like Kamiya's. Speaking of the rose of swordsmanship, perhaps it was time that he visited his dear, `guests'

 

 

“Dammit Kamiya, You have to eat!” Enishi had never been more infuriated in his life; not even when facing the legendary Battoussai. Uncanny how a simple woman could spark a fury in his being, especially for one he was quite fond of. Yes, admittedly, ever since that day, years and years ago, he had grown quite fond of his captive, or now, his `cell' companion. He glared down at the woman, a rice ball in his hand. Growling, he threw the food into the fountain that she seemed so enchanted in, and stomped away, seating himself back at the table. Taking a wine glass, he chugged the remains down, eyes continuing to glare at the girl. Finishing the last drops, he slammed the glass down, fist clenching around the now shattered pieces. The crimson liquid was ignored as he watched her jump slightly at the noise. His teeth clenched, grinding.

 

She had yet to tear her eyes from the fountain. Only twice did she move during Enishi's tirade. Once when the image within the water was disturbed by some sort of food, which quickly disappeared after striking the stone beneath, and once more at hearing the shattering of glass. She had flinched both times. Hearing the quiet curses, she bit her lip, and sank down from her perch, choosing instead to kneel on the tile, rather than sitting on the stone. Her arms were folded over the stone, her head placed neatly in the fold. She could feel eyes upon her, but she didn't care. All she wanted was to stay here, and watch her son. She'd learned not to touch the water, that she would never feel his touch. Occasionally, she'd spot a certain red-haired wanderer, and she could feel her heart flutter once more. `Those feelings are DEAD…'

 

She almost cowered as she felt the aura of that man approaching. Truth be told, she was starting to fear him. There was an emotion that he brought forth within her, which she couldn't quite place. It was a feeling she had not felt since she was younger, in her late teens, early 20's, something she had sworn never again to feel.

 

Suddenly, a hand upon her shoulder jerked her back, and she found herself tumbling towards the ground. Caught in muscular arms, she caught her breath, and stared up at turquoise eyes. “Just... leave me alone…” Her voice was soft, and her skin pale. She'd avoided eating since the incident with Kenji, which had been several days ago. She bit her lip, diverting her eyes to stare at the statue of the fountain, refusing to meet HIS eyes.

 

He stared down at her, eyes full of fury. He had enough, what right did she have to harm herself this way? Did she think he could sit back and watch as she, or ANYONE for that matter, slowly killed themselves. In his free arm, he held another rice ball. “If you aren't going to eat on your own… I will force you.” His eyes narrowed as she pursed her lips. He brought the food to her mouth, and attempted to shove it in, to no avail. Finally, as she glared defiantly at him, he took a bite, a smirk on his lips as her gaze turned to bewilderment. Swiftly, he lowered his head, and brought his lips upon hers. His lips curved in a smile, as he could feel her lips part in surprised cry. He ignored her hands pressing against his chest, attempting to shove him off. It wasn't until she swallowed, because of reflex, did he stop the kiss. He unceremoniously dropped her, and tossed the remains of the rice ball into her lap. “Eat, or I will make you…”

 

Kaoru had never felt such fury, not even when Kenshin had stumbled into her bathroom the day they met. Cheeks ablaze, as well as eyes, she screeched, “HOW DARE---“ However, she was cut off, her words muffled as he swooped down, and placed yet another crushing kiss upon her lips.

 

“Shut up and eat.”

 

She shut up immediately, resentfully taking bites out of the food, chewing as little as possible, and practically inhaling the food. She continued to glare at the statue, as yet another rice ball was thrown into her lap. They didn't seem to stop coming until she had finished at least five. `Damn him…'

 

“Perhaps I should separate you love-birds.” The voice echoed through out the hall. The two captives glanced around them, attempting to pinpoint the owner of the voice. Even without seeming him, they knew who the intruder was. Their `caretaker' seemed to have arrived.

 

“You won't get him Enishi!” Kenshin Himura was thrust into a sense of déjà vu. Once again, he was in a battoujutsu stance, ready to fight a long-ago enemy—Enishi Yukishiro. The man had come, demanding to see Kenji, and claiming that the boy would live with him from this moment on… `Over my dead body.'