Control

Hey all! Sorry for the lack of update on this fic for so long! I had a problem with the timeline and I had trouble figuring out how to fix it. Luckily I’ve worked out a solution. Therefore, it’s time to move this story forward.

‘thoughts’

“dialogue”

Do I look like Nobuhiro Watsuki? I didn’t think so…so RK isn’t mine.

Control
Chapter 15

As the first rays of sunshine topped the mountains surrounding Kyoto, Kenshin slowly became aware of being very warm. Blinking open his eyes, he stared at the ceiling for a moment, before trying to sit up. Moving his left arm, he felt pins and needles. Looking down he saw why-laying on his arm was Kaoru, still fast asleep. Kenshin’s first thought was that he was the luckiest man in the world and his heart swelled at the sight. However, his mind quickly reminded him that today they would penetrate Kido’s home where Miyori was most likely being held.

Guilt crashed down on Kenshin’s shoulders and he closed his eyes. Frantically he tried to think of what to say or how to handle the situation with Kaoru. He dropped back onto the futon, his mind racing.

The movement woke Kaoru from her slumber. Blinking her eyes open, she slowly stretched and felt the tightness of muscles that prior to last night had never been used. Smiling, she turned her head and gazed at Kenshin. Slowly her smile turned to a small frown.

Kenshin laid there with his eyes closed, a look of determined concentration on his face. Kaoru felt fear deep in her heart. She believed that he loved her, but she couldn’t reconcile love with the look on Kenshin’s face. Her face paled as she considered that perhaps he felt he’d made a mistake. Kaoru pulled away and quickly rose.

As Kaoru moved from the futon, Kenshin’s eyes popped open. Turning his head, he followed Kaoru’s movement with a concerned look.

“Kaoru?” he asked. “Is everything all right?”

Kaoru picked up her discarded yukata and slipped it over her shoulders. Pulling the sides tight, she fastened the belt and turned to face Kenshin, a smile far too bright on her face.

“Of course, everything’s fine,” she said, examining the rurouni.

Kenshin sat up, worry knotting itself in his belly. Kaoru still stood with a fake smile on her face and he could sense fear in her ki.

“Kaoru,” Kenshin said. “Everything is not fine, I can tell. Please tell me what’s wrong.”

Kaoru took a deep breath and looked away from Kenshin, internally grumbling about his ki-sensing abilities. Wrapping her arms around herself, Kaoru shrugged.

“I just thought the morning after would have been different, that’s all. I thought I’d wake up wrapped in your arms and look at you and you’d be smiling and happy. Instead, you…,” Kaoru closed her eyes and continued, “you look like you were thinking you’d made a mistake,” she finished, her eyes tearing up.

Kenshin felt his heart clench at her words. Internally he kicked himself for confusing and hurting Kaoru. Rising, he crossed over and stood in front of her. Taking his right hand, he gently touched her chin and lifted her head.

“Kaoru, look at me,” Kenshin said.

Kaoru opened her eyes and stared into deep, amethyst eyes.

“No matter what happens now or at any other point in the future, never doubt that I love you with all my heart,” Kenshin said, leaning in and touching his lips to hers.

Kaoru felt her whole body shudder at the emotion in Kenshin’s words. She met the kiss and slowly melted into his arms.

Breaking the kiss, she smiled at him with the love in her heart.

“I love you Kenshin,” she said, her sapphire eyes sparkling.

Kenshin smiled and stepping back, he pulled her hand up to his lips. Kissing it lightly, he spoke.

“We should prepare for today, that we should.”

Kaoru nodded and stepped past him to the shoji. Glancing back, she took in the sight of Kenshin naked in the sunlight, his hair a fiery halo and smiled. Opening the door, she stepped out and headed back to her room.

As soon as the door was closed, Kenshin sunk to the floor. Holding his hands to his head, he berated himself for not telling Kaoru about Miyori. Looking out the window, he prayed to every kami that today would not see him lose the woman he loved most in this world.

&&&&&&&&&&&&

Miyori watched the sun crest the mountains and spread its light into her room. She’d awoken early in the morning from a nightmare that saw Kido tearing her baby from her womb in front of Kenshin, while he stood helplessly chained. Miyori sat in the chair, slowly rubbing her belly and feeling her baby wiggle inside her body. However, today not even that could lift the feeling of foreboding from her.

Looking out over the surrounding trees, Miyori found herself praying that Kenshin kept his word and came for her soon. She was lonely and scared. The doctor had paid her another visit and tried to get her to open up to him. She’d been tempted. Every day she sat in this room alone, except for the occasional trip out to the front garden to walk. No one talked to her. The guards ignored her except to bring her food or to escort her from her room to the garden. Even her growing interest in learning to read had fallen by the wayside as desperation grew. However, she resisted the temptation to talk with the doctor. She hung on to the faith that Kenshin would come for her, that he would save her.

A small bird flew from one tree to the next and Miyori wished she could be that bird. She swore she would never take the ability to go where you want for granted again. A noise behind her drew her attention and she saw the door open and her breakfast brought in. Once the door closed, she resumed looking out the window. She was beginning to feel that there was no point in even eating anymore.

‘Kenshin, please, where are you?’ she thought. ‘I cannot endure this much longer.’ A tear slowly rolled down her cheek.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Kenshin, Aoshi, Kaoru, Sano, Yahiko and Misao left the Aoiya after a quick breakfast. The group stayed unnaturally silent as Aoshi led them into the forest outside of town. Behind Aoshi, Misao walked, puzzling over the strange events of the morning. Misao had bumped into Kaoru returning from Kenshin’s room. She’d noted the messy hair and immediately saw through Kaoru’s excuse of needing some fresh air after a bad dream. You didn’t smile like that after a bad dream. However, at breakfast, Himura had remained stoic and she saw Kaoru sneaking concerned glances at him. Misao was convinced something happened between them, but what was a mystery.

Misao was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn’t notice Aoshi stop. Bumping into his back, Misao flushed red as Aoshi turned around and gave her a questioning look. Yahiko couldn’t resist the easy target.

“What the matter weasel? Are you thinking about your Aoshi-sama so much that you can’t watch where you’re going?” the boy laughed.

Misao turned around prepared to let Yahiko have it, when a gentle touch on her shoulder captured her attention. Following the hand up, she stared into gentle ice blue eyes.

“We are approaching the site of Kido’s home,” Aoshi said. “It would be best for us to split up and go in stealthily.”

Misao nodded.

“Hai, Aoshi, that is a good plan. Kaoru, I would like you and Misao to remain here,” Kenshin said.

Kaoru’s eyes narrowed, but before she could speak, Kenshin continued.

“We do not know what kind of forces are inside and should they make a run for it, you will be available to stop them.” Kenshin looked into Kaoru’s eyes. “Kaoru, please, I need to know that you’re safe.”

Kaoru felt the challenge she was going to give evaporate at Kenshin’s heartfelt words. Misao smiled, preparing to listen to the argument she was certain Kaoru would give.

“Alright Kenshin,” Kaoru said.

“You hear….what?” Misao said, looking at Kaoru strangely.

“We’ll wait here Misao,” Kaoru said.

Misao crossed her arms and shook her head.

“Uh-uh,” she said. “You can wait here, I’m going with them.”

Kaoru stepped up and put a hand on Misao’s shoulder, squeezing it hard.

“Hey,” Misao began.

“We’ll wait here,” Kaoru said, through gritted teeth.

Misao frowned, trying to figure out why Kaoru was so willing to go along with this. Kaoru arched an eyebrow at Misao.

“Alright, fine! We’ll wait here,” Misao agreed.

Aoshi nodded.

“Battousai, you and I will approach from the north. Sagara, you and Yahiko approach from the south,” Aoshi instructed.

Sano, who’d watched the entire exchange with Kenshin and Kaoru with some confusion, snapped to attention at Aoshi’s words.

“Uh, sure,” he said, scratching his head. “Which was is south again?”

Yahiko groaned and grabbed the fighter’s arm.

“This way moron,” he said, leading the fighter away.

Kenshin, Kaoru, Misao and Aoshi, listened to the two stalk off with Sano arguing.

Kenshin shook his head.

“They certainly aren’t being quiet,” he said.

“That’s why I sent them south,” Aoshi said. “The house is north of here.”

Kenshin’s eyes widened and he chuckled.

“You tricked them,” he said.

Aoshi shook his head.

“On the contrary, I merely had them approach from a different direction. I’m certain they’ll find the road to the house shortly. We need to go,” Aoshi said.

Kenshin turned to Kaoru and cupped her cheek.

“Please be careful,” he said.

“You too,” Kaoru responded.

Kenshin and Aoshi turned and walked through the trees to the north.

Misao, whose eyes had widened at the exchange between Kenshin and Kaoru waited until they were out of hearing range to round on Kaoru.

“Okay, out with it! What’s going on with you and Himura?” she questioned.

Kaoru smiled.

“There’s no time for that,” she said, grabbing Misao’s arm and starting off in the direction Kenshin and Aoshi had gone. “C’mon, let’s go.”

“Where are we going?” Misao asked, stumbling after her.

Kaoru turned around and gave her friend a sly smile.

“To help them rescue Miyori, of course!”

Misao chuckled.

“You had me scared for a second,” Misao smiled.

Kaoru laughed.

“I’ll tell you all about it later. Right now, we need to help with this rescue.”

“Alright,” Misao agreed, following her friend toward Kido’s mansion.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Okay, folks that’s all for this chapter. I know it’s kind of a filler chapter, but I promise you next chapter all hell brakes loose and Kenshin and Miyori are reunited. Hmmm….I wonder what Kaoru’s going to think?