Standard disclaimers apply
***CHAPTER 5***
His strong hands encircled her waist, whirling her around and into his arms. Breathless with shock, Kaoru was powerless to cry out, or protest.
And then he laughed, softly.
Such a distinctive, amused, dearly familiar laugh. As she melted into his arms, she realized that, of course, in her heart, she had been hopingâ?|expecting that Kenshin would be mingling with the revelers. Now I know, she thought exultantly, why I felt so excited tonight. Deep down I was expecting him to be here.
And he had not disappointed her.
â??Kaoru! Kaoruâ?|are you out there?â??
Kaoruâ??s blood ran cold. â??Itâ??s Shogu Amakusa. He has come looking for me, to claim the supper dance!â??
Swiftly, Kenshin drew her into a shadowed corner of the courtyard. Just in time. A second later, the oak door opened, and Shogu strode angrily out into the night. Kaoru had difficulty restraining the impulse to laugh as the moonlight illuminated Shoguâ??s livid face. Clearly, he was beside himself with fury at her for causing him all this trouble and embarrassment. She noticed Kenshinâ??s shoulders were trembling and realized that he, too, was finding this situation amusing.
â??Kaoru?â?? called Shogu again. Then he muttered to himself, â??No, damn it, the bitch is not out here. I have never known a woman play cat and mouse like this one. But so help me, Iâ??ll make her mine in the end. And then sheâ??ll learn whoâ??s master!â??
He returned to the house, slamming the door behind him.
` Kaoru let out a deep breath. â??Heavens, now what am I to do? If I return now to the ballroom, I can imagine Mr. Amakusa reprimanding me in one breath for avoiding him and then proceeding straight with the next to inform me that he is prepared to overlook my misdemeanors and do me the honor of making me his wife!â??
Kenshin laughed, violet eyes glinting in the moonlight.
â??Itâ??s clear that you will not be safe with Shogu Amakusa. So, I believe the best solution would be for me to kidnap you. Just for an hour, you understand.â??
Kaoru stared up at him, her heart racing. â??Kidnap? What do you mean?â??
â??I intend to take you on a watery journey,â?? he said, â??and show you an enchanted island by the silvered light of the moon. Now,â?? he continued briskly, â??are you prepared to be kidnapped without fuss, or will I pick you up in my arms and carry you off by force?â??
â??Oh, but you are outrageous!â?? laughed Kaoru. Never in her life had she felt so happy, so carefree. Entering into the spirit of the adventure, she struck a dramatic pose and said, â??Take me where you will, sir. I am a poor defenseless woman, too weak to resist!â??
â??Not too weak to run a little way, I hope,â?? said Kenshin laughing softly. â??I could carry you all the way down to the lake, but it would slow down our progress somewhat.â??
He took her hand, and they slipped from the courtyard by a side gate. They ran through a glade of pine trees, and there beyond lay the calm waters of the Shinji lake. A boat was moored by the waterâ??s edge, and within minutes Kaoru was seated inside it, with Kenshin rowing powerfully toward the small central island.
Trailing a hand in the cool, inky water, Kaoru threw back her head as the gentle April breeze ruffled her raven tresses. Behind her, she could hear the distant sound of music and laughter from the Sekihara mansion. She imagined Shogu Amakusa, raging from room to room in his search for her. Eventually, she supposed, he would inform her parents that she was missing. There would be chaos.
But I donâ??t care! thought Kaoru. Let them say what they wanted, and punish me as they like. Nothing matters except this one precious hour with Kenshin.
Kenshin was smiling at her. â??Kaoru, your eyes are shining brighter than the stars. What are you thinking?â??
She spread her delicate hands. â??Just that I will have to face the most dreadful interrogation when I return to the ballâ??and that I do not give a damn for any of it! Somehow, here with you, I feel so free and wonderful. My father will probably lock me in my room with nothing but bread and water. But I donâ??t care. I will have the memory of this hour to sustain me.â??
She stopped, suddenly horrified at what she had said. Never in her life had she spoken boldly to anyone except her brother Soujirou. Yet, with Kenshin, she felt she could say anything and not be misunderstood.
His voice was deep and tender as he replied, â??You are a brave, spirited girl, Kaoru. I admire you greatly. You must not worry about what your parents will say to you later. I believe that in everyoneâ??s life there are certain rare occasions when we are in some magical way protected from harm, reprisals, and recriminations. This is one of those times, Kaoru. I give you my word, you will not come to any harm either now with me, or later when you return to the ball.â??
She believed him. She knew nothing about him, except that his name was Kenshin, and he was clearly a gentleman. She knew nothing of his past, his family, or why he chose to cloak himself and his identity in secrecy.
All she knew, with a joyous certainty, was that he would never deceive her. He had said, on the occasion of their first meeting, that he was her friend. And wherever he led her tonight, or any other night, she would put her trust in him and follow.
When they neared the island, Kenshin eased the boat through the reeded shallows, tied it to a tree stump, and assisted Kaoru onto the mossy bank.
â??Come,â?? he said, taking her hand and leading her along the path, until they reached a secluded inlet where three willow trees stood gracefully.
On the far side of the lake twinkled the lights of the Sekihara mansion, which prompted her to ask, â??How come you gain admittance to the ball, Kenshin? Why, even my father was obliged to show the butler his invitation card. He was furious and promised to have words with the Widow Sekihara on the matter.â??
Kenshin smiled. â??My life has been unconventional, Kaoru. Not only did I managed to learn a very complicated sword techniqueâ?|but just as valuable was the lesson in the art of slipping quietly in and out of other peopleâ??s houses.â??
Intrigued, Kaoru remarked, â??I wish you would tell me more about yourself.â??
â??Unfortunately,â?? laughed Kenshin, â??It is impossible to tell you more, Kaoru, but believe me, there is a serious purpose behind all of this. A deadly serious purpose.â??
Something in his tone sent a shiver down Kaoruâ??s spine. Toward her, Kenshin had been unfailingly gallant. Yet now she realized that he was indeed a man of steel, who when the occasion demanded could be utterly ruthless.
He took her hand and said gravely, â??We have a common bond, Kaoru, you and I.â??
â??We have?â?? she whispered.
â??You are a lovely young girl, the prized daughter of a wealthy family, convinced you are doomed to marry a man you loathe. While Iâ??m forced to travel in the shadows, until the mission I have set myself is completed. In different ways, Kaoru, you and I are victims of the conventions of life.â??
She nodded, a glimmering of understanding beginning to dawn.
Kenshin went on, â??But now, just for one hour, we have been given the opportunity to tempt our fates. This is our enchanted night, Kaoru. It is time out of time, a special gift of a magic hour which exists purely for our delight.â??
She gazed up at him, breathless. By the light of the moon his hair shone like flames. His violet eyes, laced with amber held her completely captive.
â??Do you remember,â?? he murmured, â??when we stood under some cherry blossoms in the sunshine, and I told you that at some time in the future I would teach you how to kiss?â??
â??I remember,â?? Kaoru whispered, her heart beating wildly.
â??The time has come,â?? declared Kenshin.
In the space of a few short seconds a myriad of thoughts and impressions flashed through Kaoruâ??s mind. Her motherâ??s horror, her fatherâ??s wrath if they could but see her nowâ?|alone on this lakeland island with a man they would undoubtedly brand as a common thief, a criminalâ?|then Shogu Amakusa, the man she was doomed to marryâ?|the impassive face, menacing eyes, and fleshy lipsâ?|if her father insisted, she would be condemned to share a life, her bed, with a man she loathed and detested.
And then she looked upon Kenshin, standing before her. His hands rested lightly upon her shoulders, but he had made no further move towards her.
â??Donâ??t be afraid,â?? he said, as if reading her mind. â??I will not force you, Kaoru. The decision is yours.â??
As she gazed into his handsome face, Kaoru knew what her answer would be. It is wrong, and shameful, she thought, but I donâ??t care! If I am to spend the rest of my life in misery with a man I despiseâ??a man who makes my flesh creep when he so much as touches my handâ??then yes, I will grasp this chance, this one chance of happiness with Kenshin. He is right, this is rare, enchanted time out of time.
Shyly, she raised a trembling hand and pressed it over the firm, long fingers that rested on her shoulder. â??Kenshin,â?? she murmured.
He understood. He swept her into his arms. Then his hands caressed her silken hair, tilting back her head. Kaoru closed her eyes as his lips found hers with a sweet, tender authority that kindled within her a flame of passionate longing. Oh, how willingly she surrendered to the demands of his embrace!
After a long time he released her and held her close to him, her head resting against his chest.
â??I have wanted you so much,â?? he whispered. â??You were not aware, but earlier at the ball, I was watching while you waltzed with a dark-haired young man.â??
â??My brother Soujirou,â?? Kaoru breathed.
â??You looked breathtaking,â?? said Kenshin, â??with your gossamer white dress, and your raven hair haloed in the candlelight. It was all I could do to prevent myself from rushing onto the dance floor and taking you into my arms there and then.â??
Kaoru smiled, imagining the consternation such an act would have caused!
â??I must take you back now,â?? Kenshin said. â??Iâ??m afraid our enchanted hour is almost at an end, my lovely one.â??
Kaoru let out a long, shuddering sigh. â??Yes, it is over. And I must prepare to face the music!â??
â??Donâ??t worry,â?? said Kenshin reassuringly. â??Iâ??m your friend, remember? Do you think I would allow you to walk into danger or difficulty? I promised you that no harm, not so much as a single reproach, will come your way because of your adventure with me.â??
As he spoke, he guided her back along the path toward the moored roving boat. They traveled back across the lake in silence, except for the soft dipping of the oars in the water. Then Kenshin escorted her up the bank, through the glade of pine trees, to the side door that led back to the courtyard.
â??I must leave you here,â?? he said.
She gazed up at him. A dim light from the house was shining onto his face, and she tried to etch his features into her memory. For who knew whereâ??or whenâ??she would see him again?
Once more, Kenshin demonstrated his uncanny ability to read her mind.
â??I have many urgent affairs to attend to, Kaoru. But rest assured, you will always stay in my thoughts. And if you should need me, you will find me at the Omiya Inn, on the Koriyama road.â??
Kaoru flushed with happiness. By telling her this much, he had proved that he trusted her. He was indeed her friend, and her protector. She wondered if he would take her into his arms and kiss her farewell.
But this was not to be. Gently, Kenshin raised her hand and brushed it lightly with his lips. He then guided her through the side door and closed it behind her. Once more she was alone in the courtyard where the fountain played.
Kaoru longed to linger here awhile, and relive her magic hour with Kenshinâ?|retracing every minute from the moment he had swept her into his arms and kissed her on the enchanted island.
But her parents and Shogu Amakusa were waiting. Reluctantly, Kaoru reentered the house, deposited her cloak in the ladiesâ?? dressing room, and hurried back to the ballroom.
Perhaps, she thought, surveying the laughing, dancing revelers, I have not been missed at all! It could be that I was observed leaving the ballroom and Mr. Amakusa and my parents assumed I was feeling tired, so had retired to one of the rooms to rest.
â??Kaoru!â?? Yumiâ??s sharp tone dashed all Kaoruâ??s hopes. â??Where have you been, child? And my, just look at your dress!â??
â??And your slippers, too!â?? exclaimed her mother indignantly. â??Why, they are thoroughly soiled. Quite ruined!â??
Kaoru searched for words. They would not come.
â??Thank heaven,â?? Yumi went on, â??that your father has retired to the smoking room and is not present to witness your disgrace.â??
Shogu, who was escorting her mother at that moment, said meaningfully, â??Your mother and I were very concerned about you, Miss Kamiya.â??
â??It is very annoying and rude of you to disappear when you had promised the supper dance to Mr. Amakusa. Please explain yourself.â??
Kaoru swallowed. A thousand improbable excuses flashed through her mind, only to be rejected as totally unbelievable. â??Iâ?|I can explain, Mama. You see, well, the fact is, Iâ??â??
And then, miraculously, came the sound of Misaoâ??s sweet voice behind her, declaring calmly, â??Oh, Kaoru, how dreadful of me to have caused you so much trouble.â??
Kaoru whirled around. Misao took her by the arm and said to Yumi, â??Iâ??m afraid that it is all my fault. I was feeling a little faint, and Kaoru kindly offered to fetch my smelling bottle which I had foolishly left in the carriage.â??
Shogu said smoothly, â??But surely, my dear Mrs. Kamiya, it would have been more in order for one of the footmen to have fetched your smelling bottle.â??
Misaoâ??s soft blue-green eyes regarded him guilelessly. â??Oh, Mr.Amakusa, you know how confusing it is in the coachyard, with so many carriages pitched in together. The poor footman would have taken an hour identifying our carriage, and by that time I would have fainted from the heat. I retired to one of the rooms, and Kaoru sweetly volunteered to go to the courtyard herself.â??
Yumi looked mollified. â??That was very kind of you, Kaoru. But Iâ??m surprised at Tae, allowing her coachyard to swim in mud.â??
â??I lost my way in the dark coming back,â?? said Kaoru quickly. â??One of the grooms had left a pail of dirty water. Foolishly, I kicked it over, so muddying my dress and slippers.â??
Yumi seemed totally convinced, but Kaoruâ??s inward sigh of relief was cut short as Shogu said keenly, â??Yet it seems, Miss Kamiya, that your errand was in vain. You donâ??t appear to be carrying the smelling bottle.â??
Before Kaoru could attempt to reply, Misao said, with a rueful flutter of her hands. â??Now, Mr. Amakusa, you seem determined to embarrass me! I had forgotten that I left the smelling bottle in the ladiesâ?? dressing room. It is very ungallant of you to reveal that I sent poor Kaoru on a completely fruitless errand.â??
Shogu was silenced. But his pale green eyes spoke volumes to Kaoru. He did not believe Misaoâ??s story. Yet he had no way of disproving it.
Instead, he said to Kaoru, â??Unfortunately, the ball is now drawing to a close. It will soon be time for us all to unmask. But I should like the honor of having the last dance with you, Miss Kamiya.â??
Kaoru gazed into his hateful face. And suddenly, his visage faded, and instead it was as if she was looking at Kenshin. She remembered the expression in the eyes of her red-haired friend and protector just before he kissed her. And she knew, in that instant, that she loved Kenshin. That whoever he was, whatever his reasons for living in the shadows, she would always love him.
She heard Shogu cough discreetly.
Yumi said, in a slightly embarrassed tone, â??Kaoru, perhaps you did not hear? Mr. Amakusa has asked you to honor him with the last dance.â??
Kaoru flashed him a radiant smile. â??Of course, Mr. Amakusa. I would be delighted.â??
Kicking off her slippers, she allowed him to take her hand. Once again, all eyes were on Kaoru as she and her partner took their places in the cotillion.
Why, went the buzz of speculation around the ballroom, Kaoru Kamiya looks totally enamored with Shogu Amakusa. And indeed, such was the radiance of her expression that no one even noticed she was dancing in stockinged feet.
â??I do believe,â?? Yumi commented to her son Aoshi, â??that Kaoru has had a change of heart. Just look at her! She has the glowing eyes and soft smile of a girl truly in love.â??
No one so much as suspected that while Kaoru smiled, and made her graceful way through the cotillion, she was thinking of Kenshinâ?|their time on the islandâ?|his kissâ?|and how much she loved him.
No one suspected, that is, except for her sister-in-law, Misao.
Kaoru awoke to the sound of rain gently pattering on her windowpane. Yet, she felt so joyful, it was as if the room was flooded with sunshine. Lying in her cozy, curtained bed, listening to the familiar early morning sounds of the houseâ??the shouts of the stableboys, Soujirou and Aoshi on the terrace below, still bickering about that horseâ??Kaoru found it hard to believe that last night she had been caught up in such an amazing adventure.
But it had all really happened. The enchanted hour on the island was hers to treasure forever. Whatever befell her in the future, she would have that golden memory to console her.
And Kenshin had kissed her! Kaoruâ??s face burned against the cool pillowcase. What tender passion had there been between them! Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined herself to be capable of such emotions. I should be ashamed, she thought, abandoning myself so willfully to his embrace.
But it was right! I know it! And I will never regret that kiss. Never.
Slipping from the bed, she cleansed herself in the warm water her maid had brought in earlier. When she had dressed in her lavender kimono, she noticed that the maid had not yet removed the soiled dancing slippers.
Misao! Thought Kaoru as the later events of last night came flooding back. I must speak to Misao.
She glanced out of the window and saw that the rain had been no more than an April shower. Already the skies were clearing, leaving the lawns and gardens below bathed in morning sunshine. As Kaoru watched, Misao herself appeared on the lawn. She was carrying a basket and scissors and was quietly engaged in snipping off spring flowers to take into the house.
Kaoru ran lightly down the back stairs of the house and slipped out of the garden door.
â??Misao!â?? she called. â??I must speak with you.â??
Misao smiled and bent to cut some dancing yellow daffodils. â??Good morning, sister. I hope you slept well after the excitement of the ball?â??
Kaoru took her arm. â??I must thank you for coming to my assistance last night.â??
â??Isnâ??t these daffodils beautiful?â?? inquired Misao, touching their vivid petals.
â??Yes, theyâ??re lovely,â?? replied Kaoru impatiently, â??But Misao, tell me how you knewâ??â??
â??You know, there is nothing more delightful,â?? went on Misao serenely, â??than a garden after the rain. Take a deep breath, sister. Doesnâ??t it smell sweet?â??
â??Misao,â?? pleaded Kaoru, â??I think I will die if you donâ??t tell me why you came to my aid last night.â??
â??Arenâ??t you reading too much into the situation?â?? murmured Misao. â??I perceived that you were in some difficulty and made up what I hoped was a convincing story to save you. It was a sisterly act, nothing more.â??
Misaoâ??s blue-green eyes looked so innocent. Yet some sixth sense urged Kaoru to ask, â??Kenshin asked you to help me, didnâ??t he?â??
Misao looked hastily away. But not before Kaoru had observed a telltale flicker in her eyes. â??I love him,â?? Kaoru said quietly. â??I must know more about him. Please tell me all you know. For Iâ??m sure you do know more than I do.â??
Kaoru saw her cast a guarded glance around the garden. But they were quite alone, apart from the birds singing in the trees.
â??Very well,â?? said Misao gravely, â??I will tell you what I know, though most likely it will not be enough to satisfy your curiosity. Some weeks ago, returning from the circulating library, I was unfortunate enough to stumble and turn my ankle. A gentleman noticed my plight and most kindly escorted me home.â??
â??Kenshin,â?? breathed Kaoru.
â??Yes,â?? nodded Misao. â??Upon arriving home, I saw to my dismay that Aoshi had unexpectedly returned a few minutes ahead of me.â??
â??And you were in possession of romances from the circulating library!â??
â??I was carrying them in a small net bag,â?? said Misao, her face paling at the memory. â??As Kenshin assisted me through the gate, I pushed the bag into his hands, murmured my thanks, and hobbled as quickly as I could into the house. Fortunately, he seemed not at all put out by my strange behavior. Then the following day, while my husband was out, a messenger returned my books, with a note which said, Secrecy is the very essence of Romanceâ??Kenshin.â??
Kaoru smiled. â??He had understood, then, that you dared not allow your husband to see you reading those novels. But did you know that Kenshin would be present at the masked ball?â??
â??No I didnâ??t,â?? said Misao. â??But while you were dancing with Soujirou, I noticed this red-haired man standing in the corner apparently unnoticed by everyone, and his eyes were fixed on you. He must have sensed that my eyes were upon him, for he glanced across at me and bowed. I was not sure that he had recognized me in my mask, but a little later he passed by and pressed a note into my hand. It begged me to explain your absence in a little while. So that is just what I did.â??
Kaoru clasped her hands. â??Oh, I wish I knew more about him. It is so frustrating knowing so little!â??
Misao laughed sympathetically. â??But now will you tell me how you chanced to meet Kenshin? And what is there between you? I have been very intrigued about your situation.â??
â??Misao, how thoughtless of me. Of course I will tell you everything. Butâ??â??
â??Donâ??t worry,â?? smiled Misao, â??It will be our secret.â??
So as they strolled among the forget-me-nots clouding the path, Kaoru told Misao about her meetings with her red-haired friend.
â??How romantic!â?? breathed Misao.
â??But now we are torn apart once more,â?? sighed Kaoru, â??and I donâ??t know when, if ever, we may meet again.â??
Misao said thoughtfully, â??From what you have told me of Kenshin, I would have guess him to be an extremely determined man. If he decides that you will meet, then nothing will keep him from you.â?? She pressed Kaoruâ??s hand. â??As you know, Aoshi and I are returning to Kyoto today. But rest assured, sister, that if it is within my power, I will do everything I can to help you.â??
â??Iâ??m so greatful to you,â?? murmured Kaoru, â??but I believe my more immediate need is for a miracle.â??
Cantering toward the Kamiya mansion was the Widow Tae Sekihara, accompanied by a grim-faced Shogu Amakusa. And Kaoru had no doubt in her mind that the purpose of his visit was to ask her father for her hand in marriage.
***AUTHORâ??S NOTES***
Sorry if I did that evil cliffhanger thing again, nasty habit, just couldnâ??t seem to break it. To Kori Suketchi & Chibi-Angel, I know you guys are waiting for Kenshin to dance. Well, Iâ??m sorry to disappoint you, but I just canâ??t imagine Kenshin dancing. He probably even have 2 left feet ::evil laugh:: Dancing may not be one of his best attributes, but Iâ??ll bet heâ??s good at something else ::knowing look:: From the bottom of my heart, THANKS AGAIN MINNA! And a special thanks goes to CHIBI-ANGEL for pre- reading my fic.
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