Disblaimer: It's not mine at all.
From last time:
She had not missed the hidden meaning behind the look that passed between Midori and Hiko...nor could she misinterpret it.
Her life had just become more complicated.
Chapter 3
By royal blueKitsune
Kaoru yawned and stretched lazily as a sharp gust of fresh air entered the open windows, making her shiver uncontrollably. Winter could be such a dreadful season sometimes...the important question was...
Who left the window open at a time like this?
"Time to rise and shine Kaoru-san. It's morning and Hiko-sama will be expecting you to be there for breakfast." Ah yes...now she remembered. The events from last night came tumbling in her already foggy mind and sapphire blue eyes opened groggily.
"Ohayo Midori-chan. What are you doing in my room at..." she took a peek at the old clock. "Six in the morning?"
The demoness chuckled, revealing long, pointy fangs the size of small daggers. If not for the fact that Midori was a peaceful person, Kaoru could've easily considered her to be a powerful opponent. "Hiko-sama requires an early start." She smiled sympathetically at the dejected girl. "You'll get used to it Kaoru-san."
For some reason Midori felt a strange connection to the two women. Kaoru and Misao. Perhaps it was because of their kind hearts, warrior's spirit and lack of fear...not man treated servants with such kindness that the two had shown her in the spawn of a few moments. Ah, but she was not one to kick an opportunity, especially one that literally came from the sky.
The irony was not lost to her.
"Why am I not surprised...and it's Kaoru, Midori-chan. I hate having to use all those honorifics." Letting the yukata drop on the floor, Kaoru opened the door to the wardrobe, secretly marveling at the large array of clothes there. The only cover for her nude body was her long raven hair, hanging loosely on her smooth back.
The elder woman picked the discarded clothing of the floor, her crimson eyes crinkling at the corners. "A lady should be modest Kaoru-chan." Still as persistent, Kaoru grinned disappearing in the small room that was her new wardrobe.
"Yes...a lady should be modest indeed." Midori had to admit that the beautiful golden kimono and orange sash Kaoru had chosen suited her perfectly without drawing too much attention. All the kimonos had been made after the same pattern as the original one the thunder warrior wore.
"Too bad I'm not exactly a lady Midori-chan."
Misao skipped down the hall happily humming to herself, while Shura and Soujiro had taken to walking behind her but at a more sedate pace.
"You seem to be in a very good mood today Misao-chan, is everything all right?" the other emerald eyed woman asked cautiously. Misao was grinning wide enough to scare even Soujiro. There was something distinctly devilish in that smirk...and Shura wasn't quite sure she wanted to find out what the cause was.
"Nah, everything's fine. It's just that I'll get to wake Kaoru...again." Somehow, that didn't sound any better to the poor confused boy.
"Excuse me but why is that so important?" Soujiro actually wondered...would he ever understand the female counterpart of his race?
"Hell yeah...it always scares the wits out of her." The small ninja laughed and broke in a dead run, a visible sprint in her step. Soujiro and Shura could only shake their heads in silent mirth.
"Think she'll scream?"
"I think that Kaoru-san might just kill Misao."
"I have no doubt in my mind koi..."
The thump of fallen bodies. A swift slash and it was over. Bending down, he cleaned the crimson blade, the glint of the blade reflecting in his moonlit colored eyes.
Several demons lay sprawled on the hard ground, eyes wide with frozen terror. It would be the last thing they carried with them in the afterworld. Fiery amber eyes glowed with unrestrained power even as the blood in his veins cooled down.
Even though the war had been over for some ten years, Kenshin could feel from time to time something dark and dangerous twist in his gut. Such measly challenges stood no chance in front of a sword that had slaughtered thousands, yet he thrived in the adrenaline it sent rushing through his veins.
"I see you haven't lost your touch Battousai." A tall shadow stood hidden in the trees watching the scene dispassionately.
"Shinomori." Kenshin acknowledged curtly. "Is there a reason why you have been following me for the last two days?"
The shadow chuckled darkly, emerging from the trees to reveal a tall man with short black hair and strikingly icy blue eyes. He was wearing the customary black shinobi gi, which showed perfectly toned muscles, and a slim well built figure. A white and yellow trench coat had been carelessly tossed over and twin black kodachi were strapped to his back.
"Perhaps. It seems that both you and I have received certain letters. Letters coming from the same mysterious person." Blue eyes held a faint spark of amusement even when his face showed nothing but cold indifference.
"And how do I know that you are not lying to me?" Kenshin leaned against a tree, his amber eyes dark with shadows. Aoshi didn't miss the hand caressing his sword...it spoke of a warning and danger should he be lying.
The legendary Battousai was a most worthy opponent and as much as Aoshi would've enjoyed a spar like in the old days, he wanted to simply be done with this
"I do not lie...see for yourself Battousai." The calm Oniwabanshu leader pulled out a thin piece of paper from beneath his sleeve and held it so that the wanderer could clearly see the dragon seal.
When Battousai nodded, Aoshi slipped back into his pocket, moving forward towards the ex-manslayer. "I see that you still seem to hold the respect and fear of some people..." he smirked. "To send such skilled demons only for you...who is it that you have upset now?"
"As fun as that would have been, these were simply common thieves, not even skilled enough to be worthy of the swords they were carrying." The red head mirrored his smirk as the ninja grunted almost silently.
"Pity..."
"That's not fair Kaoru...I told you I hated getting wet." Misao muttered as she wrung water out of her navy blue uniform and hair.
"And I told you that I hated being woken up so brutally...you got what was coming to you." Kaoru pointed her chopsticks at the young ninja, feeling the impeding laughter. Indeed Misao had tried to sneak into her room and wake her by throwing herself over the sheets. She had missed; Kaoru had gotten angry and thrown water over the green-eyed girl.
Kaoru reminded herself to thank Midori when her friend wasn't around.
"I tried to tell you that it wouldn't work miss Misao..." Soujiro's eyes watched both women, a laughing twinkle in the dark blue depths. He and Shura had really gotten the kicks out of seeing the young animagus shake herself like a dog...but then again who hadn't?
"It's still not fair...I thought you were sleeping." Midori hid behind the teakettle she was holding, feeling her cheeks heat beneath Misao's emerald gaze.
Hiko sighed but the faint curl to his mouth, belittled his irritation. He was obviously enjoying this...it had been so long since he had seen the mansion so animated with laughter, talking and even bickering.
"Hiko-san...?" Kaoru paused, choosing her words carefully. "You mentioned something about others coming. Who are they?"
For a few moments he didn't respond, choosing to sip his sake silently. Kaoru wondered how could one man look so regally when doing a simple task such as drinking. Their employer seemed to possess some hidden traits of his own...
"Have you ever heard of Battousai?"
That seemed to get everyone's attention at the table because the small chatter fell into stunned silence. If he hadn't mastered self-control, Hiko would've found their piercing stares to be very uncomfortable. Even Midori was looking at him oddly...
"You actually mean we are going to work with the Battousai? The manslayer of a thousand men?" Misao's eyes glowed with vivid embers and while Hiko considered himself to be able to read people's expressions easily, not even he could interpret the strange glint.
"Quite so...are you uncomfortable with this arrangement?" This would actually be the first time in a thousand years when the guardians wouldn't want to work together.
"Is he by any chance accompanied by the Oniwabanshu Okashira?" Soujiro and Shura turned questioning eyes towards the petite fighter and even Hiko had to raise an eyebrow in complete surprise.
"Yes. How did you know that?" Misao grinned impishly but the one who chose to answer was Kaoru.
"The little itachi here has had a crush on Shinomori Aoshi ever since he rescued her from some demons. He broke every bone in their bodies like they were made out of straws...don't ask me why she likes him. It's just another mystery of the universe."
"Truly fascinating. I'm glad we could cover this subject during breakfast." The Seijuro heir grunted, rolling his eyes heavenwards.
"So what is he like?" Shura piped in excitedly earning a jealous pout from her husband of six years. The green-eyed woman giggled and kissed his check lovingly. He smiled.
"Tall, dark, handsome..." Misao's eyes had a dreamy, far away look in them.
"...And we needn't forget...an ice block. An ice block you could respect though..." Kaoru finished, munching on a rice ball; she ignored the dagger like looks she was receiving from her friend.
"My Aoshi is not an ice block..." Soujiro coughed to hide his laughter.
"It's just that he doesn't talk to often...the man just likes to keep his silence. What's wrong with that?"
"Ignore her...she's had too many sweets again." The blue-eyed girl looked disapprovingly at Misao's plate, which was filled with traditional Japanese deserts: rice cake, carp shaped cake, pancakes with anko filling, some western sweets she couldn't name and the ever present chocolate.
Noticing Kaoru's eyes on her plate, Misao slowly covered them, her eyes watching warily. "Move those chopsticks even an inch closer and I'll do something uncalled for. And don't touch the chocolate..."
"Careful...the weasel looks actually capable of screaming bloody murder." Hiko couldn't contain from chuckling inaudibly. A glaring contest, he mused. Who would back out first?
Unfortunately, Kaoru was he first to back down. A shame. If he were in favor of betting, the warrior would've surely been his first choice.
"Can you at least eat something that doesn't scream chocolate?" Misao pondered for a moment and then beamed energetically, reaching for some onigri.
Midori giggled quietly at the family show in front of her and continued to refill her master's plate constantly. That was what Hiko appreciated about the crimson-eyed demoness did not act like other servants. She actually enjoyed serving him...she actually cared for him.
Again this gesture didn't pass unnoticed by the others...they smiled and ducked their heads, eating silently.
"I forgot to ask...how did you know to come here?" Misao blinked her big blue-green eyes in a curious fashion, breaking a piece of chocolate to pop it into her mouth.
Kaoru made no move to reinforce the petite woman's question but it was clear by her body movements that she was also listening. Shura had the grace to look confused.
"The coordinates were written on the bottom...I remember it clearly. Why do you ask?"
"I find it very interesting that we received our own personal means of transportation...unconventional as it was...don't you think so Misao?" Kaoru's sky colored eyes softened and she couldn't contain the secret smile that blossomed on her full lips.
'The big softie...'
"You were worried about us? That is so sweet..." Leave it to Misao to approach the matter in a subtle way. Especially after the large batch of chocolate she had just devoured.
"If that is what you choose to believe than I can do little to change your mind little girl."
Kaoru smirked roguishly. By the expression on Misao's face, Hiko had most definitely struck a nerve. She leaned back in the chair, her eyes hooded as she watched her petite ninja friend start to turn red from anger.
This morning was just starting to get interesting.
The house was bigger than she had expected and Kaoru had to admit that she was mildly impressed by the mix of traditional Japanese culture and modern Western furniture. It was decorated in a tasteful manner and she couldn't help but feel a little rueful.
After all...she lacked a home of her own. A family of her own. She shook her head, sighing softly.
'I'll have none of that now...that last thing I desire is to get myself depressed.'
Laughing softly to herself, the blue-eyed warrior banished the dark thoughts from her mind and concentrated on her surroundings. There were so many doors, both on her right as well as on her left.
Kaoru felt decidedly confused. Hiko-sama had said that they were free to go anywhere they so desired...so there could be no harm in just looking right? Besides, she doubted she would actually break something.
Shrugging lightly, she opened the door closest to her and her eyes widened in appreciation. There inside the house were the biggest hot springs she had ever laid eyes on. And Kaoru had seen a lot in her life working for wealthy people. Steam came out of the water, which seemed to stretch for quite a few good meters...
A few cherry blossom trees rested on the edge of the springs and Kaoru let out a whoosh of air. One word came to her mind. Magic. Very strong magic. She would have to make time to come here sometime soon...Misao was definitely going to go into a fit once she saw this.
A thin shoji wall separated this chamber from what Kaoru could only guess to be the spring reserved for men. Depending on the situation, her friend might even enjoy kicking some unfortunate males into the next dimension. That shoji was almost see-through.
Shaking her head, Kaoru closed the door softly, feeling the air around her get colder and colder. She almost wished that she had stayed there...
The next few doors didn't seem to present as much a challenge as the first. Merely common rooms, rooms for guests. One in particular drew her attention: an inner garden full of the most exotic flowers and plants in Japan. Some very rare...
Yet another wonder in the Seijuro mansion. Will they ever cease to amaze her?
The last door was bigger than the rest...older, more imposing to the point where it seemed to be almost priceless. Running her fingers lightly on the mahogany surface, Kaoru furrowed her brows in question.
It seemed as though it was also one of the most used ones too. No dust. Knocking once, Kaoru waited patiently for an answer but none came. No one was here either and the raven-haired woman had to ask herself where everybody had disappeared.
The servants were apparitions, showing themselves only when you needed something...like they knew what you were thinking. Demons acted like that often yet she found it unnerving.
The door opened silently with only a push of her hand and Kaoru peeked her head inside. A gasp of awe escaped her parted lips...this was by far the most breath-taking room she had seen.
Shelves and shelves full with books of all sorts occupied a grand room lit only by the gentle flames that came from the fireplace situated in one corner. The ceiling and walls had been carved with intricate designs that ran everywhere twisting to form patterns and shadows, the human eye couldn't see.
Persian rugs were strewn everywhere and two leather chairs sat in front of the fire, facing each other. A large tray filled with food, sweets and even a porcelain tea set was placed on the table sitting in between. Kaoru could see the steam coming out of the tea, which meant that someone had been here earlier.
But then, why leave all of this here untouched?
Approaching cautiously, she picked the small note and turned it one the other side, blinking as an elegant handwriting came abruptly into view.
I have taken the liberty of sending you some refreshments so that the long hours you spent in here will not be spent on an empty stomach. Personally I enjoy Shakespeare more.
Hiko Seijuro
Kaoru chuckled and brushed the tips of her fingers on the copy of 'The Tempest'. The man really was a softy with a big heart.
Still the blue-eyed woman didn't let those thoughts consume her. Curling up by the warm fire, she sipped the soothing herbal tea and allowed herself to become engrossed in her reading.
"Do you think that Sakura is fairing well?" Shura leaned her head on the shoulder of her husband, feeling his warm arms coming to wrap around her small waist in a loving embrace.
"You worry too much love...I'm sure that she is well taken care of. Kamatari is a wonderful person...and you know how much she loves children and animals. I'm sure she has already started spoiling Sakura and Keitaro..."
The green-eyed woman giggled joyously, feeling love and warmth course through her entire body. Meadow colored orbs closed in appreciation and she sighed softly as Soujiro placed a small kiss on the corner of her mouth.
"Now who is trying to spoil me?" Soujiro laughed as his wife wiggled playfully in his arms.
"You know I do enjoy spoiling you...I have never met a woman who complained by now." Twinkling blue eyes looked up at the frozen sun and he exhaled loudly, hugging Shura to him.
They were sitting on the engawa, a blanket wrapped around both of them to keep them warm from the cold winter. It had stopped snowing and the air was clean and fresh, stinging Soujiro's nostrils.
He sneezed and Shura turned to him, placing a small kiss on his nose. He smiled and leaned in to kiss her...
So engrossed was he in his wife's actions, that he didn't notice the two figures sneaking into the house.
"So this is it..." Aoshi mused quietly as he looked around the mansion. Next to him Kenshin was silent, yet something flickered in his eyes. Memories.
Turing swiftly on his heel, the red head samurai started towards where he knew would get some answers. His strides were fluid, almost like he was stepping on air alone. Power radiated from him in waves, yet it was a type of controlled power.
It threatened to burn everything around it by employing the help of a mere spark. A man born out of fire and darkness, destined to live by the sword for the rest of his unnatural life.
"Where are you going?" the tall ninja didn't turn to look at his companion, his stoic expression never wavering. He would've almost passed for a statue if not for his icy eyes. They looked so cold, so ruthless, like chipped steel. Yet there was a blue flame inside those orbs... hidden secrets.
"There is someone to whom I must speak..."
Aoshi merely raised an eyebrow but the manslayer was gone already. It appeared that there was more to this than the Battousai let on and Shinomori Aoshi was not one to be kept in the darkness.
His keen hearing caught the faint sound of water splashing and a feminine voice talking in mumbled words.
He was gone in a matter of seconds.
His steps were quiet as he reached his destination. The same mahogany doors he knew so well...time had done nothing to deter them and he felt the urge to run his fingers on the smooth surface.
Hiko had a hell of a lot of explaining.
Focusing his chi to find that of the sword master, Battousai's eyes turned from pale amber to melted honey. Someone else was inside.
In an unusual display of emotions, Kenshin's eyebrows furrowed. It was woman yet not Midori. This woman...her chi radiated raw power but unlike his...burning, scorching...hers was cool, soothing. He could let himself dwell inside such power forever.
He had not even met her and the Battousai inside him wanted to keep her. Wanted to gaze upon her features and claim her as his...forcing the wild spirit back into the darkest recesses of his mind, Kenshin pushed the door open and watched as the familiar room came into view.
He inhaled softly feeling the ever-present musky smell of dusty books and faint leather along with another scent. It was fresh, like frozen blossoms and lightning. Sweet like honey...Battousai found himself eagerly drawing the unique scent into his thirsted lungs.
And for the first time in his life Kenshin Himura, the fourteenth master of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu discovered a scent so much more addicting that blood. His eyes roved about the room, stopping on the longest, most sinuous pair of legs even Battousai had ever seen.
They traveled upwards to a slim waist, pert breasts and small frame covered by a golden kimono. As his gaze landed o her face, he caught his breath.
She was simply stunning. Long dark lashes rested on her pale cheeks, looking almost too long to be real. Her face was heart shaped, framed by long hair, as dark as the moonless night. Ripe lips were parted in her sleep letting small puffs of air escape.
Battousai felt the stirrings of desire rush in his heated veins and he didn't stop himself from approaching the sleeping woman until they were no more than a few inches away. Kneeling in front of the chair, Kenshin watched the steady up and down motions of her chest with something akin to fascination.
Kenshin considered himself to be a reasonable man to begin with, yet he would give anything to be able to kiss this woman right now. She looked so innocently irresistible lying there, vulnerable to his heated gaze. He took her all in, from her soft curves to plush lips and midnight blue colored hair.
The amber intensified into an almost black shade and Kenshin touched the rough fingertips of his hand to her pale skin, finding it to be smooth and silky soft.
However the ex-manslayer was caught by surprise as her eyes suddenly snapped open, revealing clear pools of navy blue.
'Amber eyes...Battousai.'
TBC...
Okay so here is the new chapter of my story...lame I know but that's life!
Hope you read and review...all of you!