Control

Hello all! This story is rolling along. I realized I had a slight timeline problem so the ending is going to be slightly different than I’d envisioned…perhaps. We’ll see if I can’t adjust things to keep my original ending. For those who are adamant that this be a K&K story, I’m sorry, but I can’t promise anything. After all, if you knew who Kenshin wound up with…why bother reading? I truly believe from what’s been presented of Kenshin’s character, he wouldn’t just up and leave Miyori hanging. However, as this chapter’s gonna show, Kenshin’s got some big problems coming up. For you K&K folks, enjoy this chappie. It’s all about you. For you K&M folks, the story’s not over. Enjoy all!

“Dialogue”

‘thoughts’

I don’t own…sniff, sniff…

Control
Chapter 14

Kenshin, Kaoru and Misao waited for Aoshi to sit. Dropping onto the cushion in one smooth move, Aoshi poured himself a cup of tea from the tray Kenshin brought in. Taking a sip, he examined the faces of the three people before him. Kenshin’s face was a blank, but his ki radiated anxiousness. Kaoru looked slightly fearful. His own Misao looked slightly upset and he watched as the storm broke on her face.

“What have you been doing? I’m the Okashira! I should know what members of this group are doing. Why did you keep this from me?” Misao exploded.

Aoshi quirked an eyebrow.

“This was not Oniwaban business. This was a request from a friend for assistance. I saw no need to involve you in it,” Aoshi responded coolly.

Misao frowned. Kenshin watched the exchange silently. Inside, he was quaking with impatience. Looking into the cool blue of Aoshi’s eyes, Kenshin spoke.

“What have you learned Aoshi?” he questioned.

Aoshi took another sip of his tea. Carefully setting the cup back on the tray, he took a deep breath.

“I searched the properties of the man you gave me the name of,” Aoshi began. “I found nothing. However, some of the men I spoke with mentioned a new home he had recently had built in the forest outside of Kyoto. I have not had a chance to inspect the property yet. Perhaps this is where the girl is being held,” Aoshi finished, noting the small downturn of Kaoru’s lips when he mentioned a girl.

“A girl?” Misao questioned.

Kenshin nodded.

“The other prisoner who was held with me, Miyori,” Kenshin said softly.

Misao’s eyes widened. She looked to her friend and saw Kaoru’s dim expression. Misao felt anger building up.

Kenshin became aware of Misao’s anger from her ki. He quickly asked Aoshi another question, hoping to forestall the explosion that was likely.

“When can we examine this property?” he asked.

Aoshi looked at Misao. Frowning slightly, he watched as her eyes lost their fire at his expression. Returning his attention to Kenshin, Aoshi responded.

“It is getting late and becoming dark outside. I would recommend waiting until morning. I found heavy security at each of the properties I inspected. I want to look it over in the daylight to determine what we will be up against should we need to go inside,” Aoshi said.

Kenshin nodded. His anxiety was building, but he knew if he rushed in, there would be the chance of things going wrong.

“We will go in the morning,” Kenshin said.

“We will all go in the morning,” Kaoru said, looking at Kenshin with determination.

Kenshin’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth to tell Kaoru no, when another voice spoke up.

“Yes, I think it’s best if we all go. The more eyes there are, the more opportunities to determine where the security is. Plus we can all keep an eye out for Miyori,” Misao said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Aoshi said nothing; he merely nodded to Misao and slowly rose. Walking to the doorway, he stopped and turned around.

“She has a point Battousai. The more eyes we have the easier to spot our query. I will see you in the morning,” Aoshi said, walking out of the room.

Misao quickly rose.

“I need to speak with him,” she said, running after her beloved.

Kenshin sat alone with Kaoru. Neither of them said anything for some time. Kaoru finally broke the silence.

“Why didn’t you say anything about this?” she asked, softly.

Kenshin took a deep breath.

“Circumstances have occurred that make time of the essence. There are those who risk great things in order for me to have the time to find Miyori,” he said, looking at the floor.

“You still could have talked to me,” Kaoru said, her frustration evident. “You always try to carry everything on your own shoulders, you never allow your friends to help you.”

“I’m sorry Kaoru,” Kenshin said. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

Kaoru sighed.

“Kenshin, I’m not made of glass. I’m here to help you. We’ll go tomorrow together. We will find her,” Kaoru said.

Kenshin nodded. Inside, the guilt was welling up. He needed to find Miyori, but he didn’t want Kaoru there. He felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he met concerned sapphire eyes.

“Kenshin, please don’t shut me out,” Kaoru begged.

Kenshin smiled weakly.

“I’m all right, that I am. Thank you for coming. I should help with the meal,” he said, rising.

Kaoru watched as he walked out of the room. Her heart was heavy with concern and she had a foreboding feeling that Kenshin was slowly slipping away from her. Frowning, she thought of how she could hold onto her love. A plan slowly formed itself in her mind. Taking a deep breath she told herself it was the only way to seal Kenshin to her side no matter what. Rising, she steeled herself. Tonight would be the night she would have to act. She would not lose her rurouni. Walking out of the room, Kaoru was determined to do whatever it took to keep Kenshin close.

&&&&&&&&&&

Late that night, far from the Aoiya, a girl sat by her window looking out at the large moon as it rose over the dark treetops. Rubbing a hand over her swollen abdomen, she hummed lightly. A kick against the inside of her stomach met her hand. She smiled and spoke softly.

“Sssshhhh, little one. Rest now, please. I need some sleep and your acrobatics aren’t allowing that,” she said.

Miyori gazed out at the moon. It had been over a week since she last saw Kenshin. She thought about his final words to her, to hold on. Feeling tears welling up, she silently let them fall. She was lonely and scared. The only company she’d had in the past six months was the child developing within her. Her one hope for rescue was being forced to become a monster he’d sworn never to return to. Openly sobbing, Miyori felt the desperation welling up inside. She had no options left. Lifting her tear-stained eyes to the moon she made a silent wish. Turning away from the window she returned to her Western-style bed. Lying on the mattress made of springs; she tried to sleep, but instead tossed and turned all night long.

&&&&&&&&&&

In Kyoto, the moon hung over a silent city. Within the Aoiya, the residents slept peacefully. However one visitor was awake. Sitting in Kenshin’s room, Kaoru watched Kenshin sleep as the moonlight bathed his form. She sat wrapped in her yukata, her determination from earlier waning. Looking over the redhead, she felt concern as she watched a nightmare dawn on his face.

She continued to look on as he began to softly cry out and toss and turn. She felt her heart clench at the pain he was in. Reaching out she gently smoothed his bangs away from his forehead. At her touch, his eyes flew open.

Kaoru fell back, surprised at his action. Kenshin looked over to the woman whose soft touch brought him out of the horrid dream.

“Kaoru, what are you doing here?” he asked, careful to keep his voice low.

“I was worried about you,” she whispered back.

“I’m sorry. I’m alright now. Please return to bed, you need sleep,” Kenshin whispered a weak smile on his face.

Kaoru rose to her knees and stopped. Kenshin felt her inner turmoil. Rising, he sat up on his futon.

“Kaoru?” he questioned.

Kaoru raised her eyes to Kenshin’s concerned ones. The moonlight lit up half his face to her view. Steeling herself, she proceeded with her plan. Dropping her left hand, she tugged the knot at her waist open. She took a deep breath as she felt the material fall open and the cool air caress her skin.

Kenshin’s eyes widened. She’d opened her yukata before he could stop her and now he ran his eyes over pale flesh bathed in moonlight. He tried to hold onto the barriers he’d built around his heart, but with one action on Kaoru’s part, he felt them crumble. He felt himself beginning to become aroused as his eyes drank in the glowing flesh. He was drawn to the soft globe in front of him, the dusky nipple already pebbling. Reaching out, his hand molded itself to the soft flesh. His other hand captured the back of Kaoru’s head. Slowly pulling her forward his lips caught hers. The first kiss was chaste, the second impassioned as Kenshin began to massage the soft flesh in his hand. Kaoru’s hands reached out and buried themselves in his hair.

Kenshin felt as though every good dream he’d ever had was coming true. He continued to massage Kaoru’s breast as he kissed down her neck. Kaoru dropped her hands from his hair to his back. Kneading him through his sleeping yukata, she felt the need to feel his flesh. Reaching down, she softly worked the knot at his waist open.

Kenshin was kissing her neck, when images of doing this with someone else entered his mind. Pulling back, he prepared himself to stop, when he suddenly felt a soft touch on his member. Looking down he saw the most erotic sight he’d ever seen. Kaoru’s small hand had wrapped itself around his stiff penis. Slowly she raised her hand to the tip and dropped back down to the base. Kenshin shuddered at the feeling. The image he’d previously had was erased from his memory as Kaoru explored his flesh.

Reaching out, he slid his hand behind her neck. Pulling her close, he caught her lips again. Kaoru removed her hand as Kenshin pulled them back. Laying on his futon with Kaoru above him, Kenshin ran his hands over her soft flesh beneath her yukata. Sliding his hands up to her shoulders, he pushed the offending garment off. Rolling them over, he found himself nestled between her legs. She quickly pushed his yukata off his body as well.

Kenshin and Kaoru explored each other’s body with their hands. Kaoru arched her back as Kenshin cupped her mound. Gently, he took a finger and slid it along inside her slit. Touching her nub, he watched her moonlit face as ecstasy dawned. Slowly rubbing up and down, he teased her entrance a few times before burying his finger in her slick depths. Pumping in and out, he watched as she writhed and mewled softly. Adding a finger, he felt his own body becoming painfully hard. Stopping, he slowly removed his fingers. Kaoru’s eyes flashed open and stared at him in confusion. Leaning down, Kenshin kissed her.

Breaking the kiss he looked into her lust-lidded eyes.

“I-I need you…,” he whispered.

“Take me,” she whispered back.

Positioning himself at her entrance, he slowly pushed forward. Reaching her barrier, he dropped his lips to hers and kissed her as he thrust himself in to the hilt. His lips dampened her cry. Holding himself still he allowed Kaoru to become used to him. As the pain slowly faded, Kaoru shifted her hips. Kenshin pulled his lips from hers and moaned at the sensation. Kaoru wrapped her hands around his back Kenshin moved his hands down to her legs. Directing her to wrap her legs around his back, he slowly pulled out to the tip and pushed back in, setting a slow rhythm. Kaoru’s eyes closed and her mouth made a small “O” at the sensations he was creating in her. Kenshin felt as though he was cradled where he was always meant to be. Her silken walls held him perfectly and each thrust was causing him to feel euphoria. Slowly increasing the pace, Kaoru began to thrust her hips to meet his. The feeling was indescribable for both. Riding a fierce wave, Kenshin began to pound into Kaoru’s lithe body. Below him, she writhed and cried out softly at each thrust.

Kenshin felt the familiar tightening in his balls. He would not hold out much longer. Still pounding into Kaoru, he reached around with one of his hands and stroked her nub. Below him he felt her body go rigid and her walls clamped onto his member. Softly crying out, Kenshin felt the pressure release suddenly as he collapsed onto Kaoru’s chest. Her walls fluttered around him as strong contractions buried his seed deep in Kaoru. Kenshin felt her wrap her arms around his back, pulling him deeply into her.

Wrapping his arms around Kaoru, he held her tightly. Lifting his head, he looked into her sparkling eyes. He was home. This was where he always wanted to be. Kissing her lips, he pulled back and smiled.

“I love you,” he whispered.

Below him Kaoru smiled the biggest smile she ever had.

“I love you too,” she whispered back.

They rolled to the side, still connected. Kenshin slowly pulled out of her welcoming depths. Pulling her close to him, he closed his eyes and fell asleep. All thoughts of others were far from his mind and sleep pulled him into her sweet embrace.