Disclaimer – Not mine.

Author's Note – Summer break is here! But I have some bad news. I'm going to China this summer and the place I'm staying at had their Internet down and I don't know if I can update during the summer. But I'll keep writing and promise to give a nice long chapter when I come back if I can't get access to Internet.

Chained in Fate Chapter V

By MizzLee

The sun was beginning to set and people in the market were putting their goods back inside while shoppers were heading home. Kaoru was following behind Kenshin. The couple looked perfect together peacefully walking past unknown strangers. Kaoru kept her focus on his scandals, she wasn't sure where they were going but it wasn't her place to question his judgment.

They were crossing a wooden bridge to a different district when Kaoru suddenly stopped. Kenshin sensed her movements and turned around to see what was wrong. He found her standing by the railing of the small bridge. She seemed to be astonished by the setting sun. "Isn't it beautiful?" she whispered. Kenshin didn't pay attention to the sunset but was allured by Kaoru, in the light of the setting sun. The rays outlined her petit body and every silk strand of her hair. Her eyes were reflecting the sun giving them even more of a glow. Kenshin turned to the direction she was facing. "Yes…beautiful."

After watching the sunset the two had arrived at a comfortable restaurant. It looked okay to Kaoru. She doubted before because the district they were in were popular for the thieves that wandered the area. But when she entered she found it to be a laid back Japanese restaurant. The waitress led them to their own room to dine. It had the rice paper walls and lit lanterns around the room giving it a warm glow. The plesent room would of relaxed Kaoru if she wasn't sitting right across from a man with stunning looks and such intense eyes.

After the samurai had ordered their meal they sat in silence. Kaoru was too scared to look up so it seemed that her cup of green tea was very attractive. "Don't worry about etiquette tonight Kaoru. I want to get to know my wife more." Kaoru blushed at the title he referred her to. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Exhaling, she opened her eyes again and smiled. "Okay, Himura-sama!" Kenshin was surprised at her sudden change in mood.

"Well…I'm 18 this year going to be turning 19 soon. I've lived with my father most my life. My mother had died when I was really young…um… I started to learn kendo when I was young too." She had decided she would not let them know her father had taught her the arts of kendo but thanks to Yahiko her secret was not much of a secret no more. Kenshin saw her hesitation and looked at her. The goddess seemed to be uncomfortable with the subject she had gone into. "Had your father taught you?" Kaoru took a moment before replying. "Are you angry at my father?" "…Your father is a wise man." Kaoru did not exactly understand his reply but she was relieved he had not thought different.

Through the rest of their dinner Kaoru talked about her childhood. Kenshin had just politely listened and nodded once in a while. At the end of their dinner Kenshin had learned much about Kaoru while she had still barely known anything about him. Of course it was not her position to question him about his past. After the swordsman paid for their bill the couple left the restaurant. Kaoru had totally lost track of time while they were inside because it seemed like it was midnight outside. The streets were empty and not a single soul was seen.

The young woman looked down at her hands. She was feeling a bit nervous being so far away from home this late. Who knows what may be lurking around the streets at night. She hadn't noticed Kenshin had already begun to walk away. When she turned back and found him already a distance ahead of her she squeaked like a frightened mouse and ran as fast as she could in her kimono towards him. The samurai had stopped walking when he heard her running towards him.

Kaoru had forgotten to stop until last moment and ran right into Kenshin's back. She had her eyes shut tight and gripped his navy colored gi tightly. "What's the matter?" he asked her without turning back. "T-there was something…someone behind me." He heard her mutter into his back. "It was a cat." He felt her grip loosen and eventually let go. The warmth from his back left and to his confusion he felt disappointed.

Kenshin suddenly turned to face her. Traces of fear and panic were just leaving her sapphire eyes. Rough swordsmen hands slid up her arms and rested on her slim shoulders.

Amber eyes seeped into her blue ones. Kaoru was once again held speechless and defenseless by those mysterious orbs. "I will protect you … I promise. So do not be afraid no more."

A vow he promised to keep. Kenshin knew how life would soon be like for her to be the wife of Battousai. The war had ended but there were still an endless number of people who wanted his life. It didn't matter that others were after his life. He is going to die someday, sooner or later. But no one is about to lay a finger on her. Anyone who tries will have to go through him first.

The thought of someone trying to harm his innocent Kaoru already sent a surge of hate through his body. "Himura sama you're hurting me" Kaoru whimpered. A second before he had been so serious with his hands so gentle on her. Suddenly he had gripped her to the point where her body would not handle it no more.

He immediately released her. "Gomen…" Kaoru gave a small sigh. For that moment before he looked so serious, so passionate. She didn't really understand why would he suddenly make such a promise.

'Wait a minute! Does he think I'm a weak woman?…Well you were running because a cat had scared you Kaoru… baka Kaoru baka Kaoru!'

Kaoru pouted because he had thought of her being weak and not able to defend herself. Of course it did nothing to give that impression to Kenshin except make her cuter.

"Let's go." Himura turned away and began walking. The silence that had shrouded the two matched the eerie silence of the streets. Kaoru stayed close behind Kenshin through the way.

When they reached the bridge they had stopped at before to enjoy the sunset Kaoru once again left his side and leaned off the edge of the wooden bridge. Kenshin stood close behind her incase she would fall over. "There's nothing to look at. The sun had set already set before." A rather dim remark that came from the red haired man. Kaoru sighed. "I know, but sometimes there's lots of fireflies that are here at night. But other times like tonight there's not a single trace of one. I was hoping there would be some again tonight. I wonder what makes them come out…"

"Come now, your father is going to get worried soon if I do not return you to him." He motioned her to follow him. But Kaoru had not trailed him. "Himura sama, if it is not too much. Please do not refer me as an object." Kaoru really didn't like people who treated women in such a way. She knew he had probably not meant it but still it ticked her off. The swordsman almost sounded like he sighed in annoyance. "Yes, that was my mistake. Gomen." And their walk continued.

When they arrived they saw that the dojo gates were locked. Kaoru didn't understand why. Her father would always wait for her! She stepped forward and gently knocked the barred doors. No one answered it. Kaoru tried knocking again a little harder this time and still no one answered. She pulled one of her sleeves up and with a huge fist she began to smash the door. "OTO-TO-SAN!"

After a while Kaoru stopped her rampage because she realized that no one was going to answer and that Kenshin had been watching her un-womanly actions. She blushed a bit as she turned around to face him with a look on her face that suggested he did something. Kenshin held his emotionless mask. "…" and he spun around and walked off. "H-hey! Don't leave me!" stuttered Kaoru as she tried to follow him. Only when she turned to his direction she found that he was nowhere to be seen. She was still puzzled on how he could disappear so fast when she heard the gates opening.

To her surprise when the doors departed it revealed the red haired samurai. She walked in and stood there trying to figure out how he could possibly get in. 'surely he couldn't of jumped the wall. I don't think anyone is capable of that!' When Kenshin finished locking up the gate he turned to face Kaoru, who had just opened her mouth to ask how he got in. Before a sound could pass her soft lips he placed a finger on them to silence her.

His finger trailed from her lips and went across her porcelain face. His hand cradled her delicate face. He leaned in closer towards her. Kaoru was feeling her cheeks burn with heat from his touch. He was a pit paralyzed when he was so close to her. She could feel his gentle warm breath. "Thank you for coming with me tonight Kaoru. It's been a pleasure." He whispered.

He released her and began to walk inside the dojo. "Goodnight." Kaoru stood there speechless. Until she raised her limp hand and made a goodbye gesture with her fingers. After realizing he couldn't see her she dropped her hand. "Good…night."

After Kenshin had turned the corner Kaoru placed her hand on her face. Emotions she could not describe surged through her. She felt so happy and excited and yet still felt disappointed. Still thinking she walked down the hallways. She peeked into her father's room and found him peacefully asleep. Gently shutting the door to his room she headed towards her room. She tried to keep her posture and act calm as she passed Kenshin's room.

As she entered her own room and changed into her sleepwear she was still trying to make sense of what had happened before. When she finished braiding her hair like she did every night, she gave a happy squeal and jumped into her futon. Blowing the candle out she drifted off to sleep dreaming about a special someone that was just sleeping in the room next to her.

Sorry for such a short chapter. If you had not read the author's note please scroll back up and read it because it'll explain why I may have a super-duper-long delay for my next update. Thank you all who had reviewed before and please review again.

Please give me feedback on (this crappy chapter I wrote this time) Review!!