PASSING BELLS

An Alternative Universe Fan fiction

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except for the plot. The Title of the story was taken from another book. Watsuki Nobuhiro-sama created the characters for the hit series Ruruoni Kenshin. As for me, the plot was original; the characters may become a little OOC because this is an AU fic.

Okay, on with the story please…

Chapter Six

The moonlight illuminated the crystal clear water of the pond. The fireflies did not come tonight and there were no crickets to take off her mind from the day's events. Her thoughts ran back and forth from the moment he held her hands last night to the way he held her close a couple of hours ago.

Kaoru Kamiya was falling in love with Gentatsu Takatsuki, fast.

She looked around to see if anyone followed her. Her big blue eyes scanned the walled surroundings; her new home, her new cage. Why is she feeling this way? Not even a day and yet her heart beats faster than a raging arrow when his blue eyes looked at her. She can't fall for him, she won't fall for him. 'But he saved you, he stood up for you' her mind argued.

Kaoru knew the voice in her mind was right. It was only a few hours ago that Gentatsu Takatsuki almost drew swords with Aoshi Shinomori. It was only a few hours ago when his calm blue eyes raged war with Aoshi's cold blue-green eyes. It was only a few hours ago when they were having lunch that almost turned into a death match. It was only a few hours ago when, for the first time ever since she was captured, someone stood-up for her.

Kaoru knew that the idea of lunch with the captain and the other hitokiri is futile. She wanted to go out, to go run out of the shared tent and stay hungry if it weren't for the fact that she was a prisoner and had no rights. Why did Gentatsu insist on having lunch with Shinomori and the Battousai? Why is she being treated like a princess and at the same time a wench? Why did she let herself be in this position? What did she do to deserve this kind of fate from the gods?

"Kaoru-san?"A soft voiced called out to her.

She didn't need to look up to see the owner of the voice. She knew that voice from somewhere. She knew that voice belonged to the only person who cared for her in this godforsaken place.

"Gentatsu-san" her delicate hands waved at the tall handsome samurai. Kaoru looked at him; the moonlight reflected his ebony locks. His skin pale against the onslaught of velvet purple. His teeth were white and straight and narrow. Everything about him screamed perfection and still he was here, searching for her; a prisoner, a wench.

"Are you alright Kaoru-san?"