Howdy Every one! This is my first attempt at a Rurouni Kenshin fan fic, so
please be patient ^.^ I'll just get on with the story, since there's really
nothing to say. ^.^ Oh yes, Feel free to e-mail me ideas you would like to
see put to work in this story! You can e-mail me at Seien@attbi.com. Ja!
This story takes place in modern day Japan (and America). So yes, the dojo does get mail.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters from it, and I forgot the person's name who does. ^-^' Don't hurt me!!! *cowers in a corner*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~
Kaoru wiped tiny beads of prespiration from her forehead. She was just sitting on the porch of the Kamiya dojo, not engaged in any physical activities, yet she was still sweating. This had to be the hottest summer she had ever been alive to witness. There wasn't even a trace of one heaven sent breeze in the air.
She kept a watchful eye on Kenshin, who was in the yard doing laundry. She didn't want him getting into trouble like last time he had done laundry. He had "accidentally" used instant potato flakes instead of powdered laundry detergent. Of course, that was partly Yahiko's fault. He had switched the two boxes while Kenshin wasn't looking. And worse yet, when Kenshin was pouring in the so called "detergent", the rest of the top of the box opened, spilling all of it's contents into the water. Yahiko had been punished though, Kaoru took the liberty of assigning him to clean the whole dojo. But Kenshin could have at least read the box before putting any in in the first place.
Kaoru rolled her eyes and smiled. Kenshin could be so cute sometimes. She remembered his confused face as the water in the laundry bucket turned into a meal for eight, and his baffled "Oro!?"
A sound at the gate shook Kaoru out of her reverie. It was the mail man.
"Konnichiwa Ms Kaoru!" the mail man called.
"Konnichiwa Shinju!" She returned.
He opened the gate and made his way up to Kaoru.
"Looks like you've got mail from the states. Thought you'd want it." He said, handing her the mail.
"Oh, really? Thanks!" She said, sifting through all of the envelopes.
"Well, I'd better get going. I've got a lot of mail to deliver yet." He said, waving and walking off.
Kaoru put all of the junk mail in a neat pile, and was left with one last envelope. She looked it over. There was no return address, and the stamp was a tulip with the small letters "USA" in the corner.
She reluctantly opened the envelope and read the letter. Her eyes grew big and a grin found it's way to her face.
"Kenshin!" She called excitedly. He rushed over.
"What happened Kaoru-dono?!" He asked, worried she had gotten hurt or some such thing had happened.
"Read this!" She said, thrusting the paper into his hands.
"Dear Kaoru,
How are you? It's been awhile, hasn't it? It's me, Tougi! Our families were really close long ago. Well, I'm sure you remember that, don't you? Well, I'm writing because Mother, Father, and I would all love to see you again. It was really hard leaving you behind in Japan. Why don't you come to America to visit us? Bring a few of your friends too! I've included six tickets in the envelope you're holding, so you don't have to worry about the cost.
Now about the details. Your flight is leaving June 20, at 8 AM sharp. When your plane lands, I'll be at the airport in Illinois to pick you and your friends up. I'd like for you to stay for at least a month, so pack appropriately. We'll probably go a few places when you're here too. You don't need to worry about money. Father is the head of one of the most successful corporations in the whole United States. It's all on us. Well, I guess that takes care of everything. I hope to see you there!
~Tougi"
"Wow. Today is June 16. You'll have to hurry, that you will." Kenshin said, his eyes as big as saucers.
Kaoru smiled. "We. We have to hurry. I'd like you to go with me."
Kenshin blushed and smiled back, "I'd be honored, that I would."
"Good, let's go tell Sano and Yahiko!" She said.
"Tell us what?" Sanosuke asked. Yahiko stood beside him, looking questioningly at Kaoru.
"You guys are going to America with us!"
Sanosuke rolled his eyes. "I'm serious. Tell us what?"
"I'm serious too! Read for your self!" Kaoru flung the letter at him. He read it and grinned.
"That's so cool! I always wanted to go to America!" Yahiko exclaimed.
For the first time in his life, Sanosuke was speechless. But it wouldn't last long.
"We're leaving in three days, so pack your things." Kaoru told them.
"That soon!?" Yahiko asked.
"Yes, why, is there a problem?" She asked.
"Yes! Tsubame is sick with the flu. I don't think she'll be well by then. I told Tae I'd help out with the Akabeko (AN: forgive me if I misspelled that... ^.^)!" He said.
"I'm sure she can find some one else." Kaoru assured him.
"No but... I want..." He blushed. "I want to stay with Tsubame until she's better."
"So you're going to miss out on America for your girlfriend?!" Sanosuke asked, wondering if he was out of his mind.
"She's not my girlfriend..." he lowered his voice, "yet.. And yes, I'm staying here."
"Who will you stay with Yahiko?" Kenshin asked.
"I'll stay with Tae. She won't mind."
"You're sure?" Kaoru asked.
Yahiko hesitated. "...Yes, I'm sure."
"Who else will we invite then?" Kaoru wondered.
"YOO HOO! KAORU! KENSHIN!" A cheerful voice called as it's owner entered the gate.
"Misao!? Aoshi!? What are you guys doing here?" Kaoru asked them.
"We're visiting." Misao said, grinning from ear to ear. Aoshi stayed silent, with the usual emotionless expression fixed on his face.
"Oh. Well, while you're here... How would you like to go to America with us?"
"America!? Really!? I'd love to!? For how long?"
"A month. Or maybe longer." Kaoru answered.
"Awesome! Can we go Aoshi-Sama!? Please please please please please!?!?!?" Misao asked him, folding her hands together and making a puppy dog face.
If one was watching very closely, one could see his eyes soften just a bit, and the corners of his mouth slightly turn up for a split second. But it was gone as fast as it had come, replaced with his icy gaze once again.
"If you wish." He replied, pretending to focus on something outside of the gate.
"Yay!" She gave him a hug and danced around happily.
"We leave in three days, so make sure you have your things." Kaoru said.
"Ai ai captain!" She said, saluting Kaoru and proceeded to literally drag Aoshi out of the gate.
They all sweat dropped.
"She sure is a little bundle of energy..." Sanosuke remarked.
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. One more person to invite... Who would it be? A light bulb flashed in her head.
"I'm going down to the clinic guys, I'll be back." She said, hurrying past.
"You're not gonna-"
"Can it, rooster head!"
Sanosuke sighed as he watched Kaoru hurry out the gate. "If she invites that woman, I swear...."
************
"I can't believe you invited her..." Sanosuke complained.
"If I knew YOU were going, I would have said no!" Megumi snapped.
It was June 20, and they were on the plane, headed for Chicago, Illinois.
"Give it a rest you two. You're going to have to learn to get along with eachother sooner or later." Kaoru stepped in, not wanting to hear them arguing for the entire way there.
"I pick later." Sanosuke and Megumi said in unison. They growled at eachother.
"Aoshi-Sama, look at the clouds! Aren't they so pretty!?" Misao said, pointing out the window.
"Pretty." Aoshi repeated in no particular tone, watching her eyes light up at every thing that delighted her. She didn't notice.
Kenshin sighed. He wondered about Kaoru's friend, Tougi. Could he be trusted? Did he have any thing other than friendship in store for her? No. Kenshin chided himself. He shouldn't judge. And he shouldn't think that way. After all, Kaoru wasn't really his. Although, he did have feelings for her. He wasn't sure he could live if she was with another man. She was the first thing he thought of when he woke up in the morning, and the last thing he thought of before falling asleep at night. At first he had tried to deny his feelings, thinking they would only endanger her. But it was so hard. She kept popping into his mind. The more he tried to push her out, the more she found her way back in.
He shook his head. He would tell her. As soon as the timing was right, he would profess his love to her. He nodded. But what if she didn't feel the same? What if she only loved him as a brother? He sighed. He couldn't wait to get to America. He suddenly felt tired.
Kaoru heard him sigh. "Is something wrong kenshin?" She asked.
"No Miss Kaoru, I just feel tired, that's all." He said, plastering his rurouni smile on his face.
Kaoru smiled back. He was so cute. She had fallen in love with him the first day she saw him. She couldn't really say it was the first moment, because at that point in time she had thought he was the guy who was going around insulting her father and the Kamiya dojo. But after she found out, she allowed herself to see everything she had over looked before. But she probably didn't have any chance. Kenshin was nice to every one. And he never showed any signs of interest. Maybe she was too tomboyish... But it wasn't really her fault she was like that. Her father taught her Kendo and all sorts of other things that a girl might not participate in. She just didn't like being 'girly'. Well, don't get her wrong, she did like to dress up in kimonos and other girl things once in a while, she just didn't feel the need to cake on layers of make up and do her nails and what not. It was unimportant.
She turned her attention to the clouds floating past. It was going to be a long flight.
**********
*Click* Kaoru looked up to see the "seat belt" lights turn on. She fastened her seatbelt and clutched the arm rests as the plane landed. When they had stopped moving, she looked out the window and was relieved to see that nothing had gone wrong. She had heard a lot of bad things about planes.
"You may now take off your seat belts. We hope you enjoyed your flight and thank you for flying American Airlines." The stewardess said over the intercom.
Kaoru took off her seat belt and motioned for everyone in the group to follow her.
"Every one grab a hold of some one so no one gets lost." Misao said, taking Aoshi's hand without hesitation. Aoshi almost smiled, but held back. He liked the feeling he got whenever she touched him. Her hand was soft and warm, and so small compared to his. He gave her hand a small squeeze, which caused her to blush and look up at him with a shy smile.
Kenshin gently took Kaoru's arm in his to make sure neither of them would get seperated in the large crowd as Misao had suggested. As soon as he touched her a shock went down his spine, and little did he know, hers too. Kaoru's cheeks turned a light shade of pink.
Megumi rolled her eyes and grabbed a fist full of Sanosuke's hair.
"OUCH!" Sanosuke protested. "Let go of my hair!"
"Well they didn't say I had to hold your hand." She said, grinning mischeviously.
"Let go you- YEEEOOOOWWW!" Megumi pulled him along after her, still holding onto his hair.
They all went and picked up their luggage and searched for Tougi.
"I think we're going in circles." Megumi pointed out.
"I don't exactly remember what he looks like..." Kaoru said, grinning sheepishly.
Every one sweatdropped.
"WHADDYA MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE!?!?" Sanosuke exploded.
"Kaoru, is that you?"
Kaoru turned around and came face to face with a young man that had black hair and forest green eyes. He towered a full 8 inches above her.
"Tougi!" She exclaimed, giving him a hug. "You've certainly grown."
Tougi smiled and hugged her back. "You've grown too. The cute little girl I used to adore has grown into a beautiful woman!" He exclaimed, laughing.
Kaoru blushed.
"These are your friends, correct? Welcome to America! We can all get aquainted later, for now we should get out of here. Right this way, the limo is waiting outside." Tougi said, steering them all towards the door. He was holding her arm, Kenshin noticed. So much for the buddy system. Kenshin frowned and mentally smacked himself. She didn't always have to be around him, yet he couldn't help feeling a small pang of jealousy. He sighed and followed after the group.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
So how is it so far? Good? Needs more work? I was really bored with the first part, it was really tough to start it out, but everything seemed to fall into place after that. ^.^ Please review and tell me what you think! Also, don't hesitate to give me ideas of what they can do while they are in America! Thanks for reading and hope you stick around for more! Ja!
~Seien
"Oro" - Kenshin's trademark way of saying "Huh?" or "eh?"
"Konnichiwa" - Good afternoon.
"-dono" - A suffix added for respect. Basically "Miss Kaoru"
This story takes place in modern day Japan (and America). So yes, the dojo does get mail.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters from it, and I forgot the person's name who does. ^-^' Don't hurt me!!! *cowers in a corner*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~
Kaoru wiped tiny beads of prespiration from her forehead. She was just sitting on the porch of the Kamiya dojo, not engaged in any physical activities, yet she was still sweating. This had to be the hottest summer she had ever been alive to witness. There wasn't even a trace of one heaven sent breeze in the air.
She kept a watchful eye on Kenshin, who was in the yard doing laundry. She didn't want him getting into trouble like last time he had done laundry. He had "accidentally" used instant potato flakes instead of powdered laundry detergent. Of course, that was partly Yahiko's fault. He had switched the two boxes while Kenshin wasn't looking. And worse yet, when Kenshin was pouring in the so called "detergent", the rest of the top of the box opened, spilling all of it's contents into the water. Yahiko had been punished though, Kaoru took the liberty of assigning him to clean the whole dojo. But Kenshin could have at least read the box before putting any in in the first place.
Kaoru rolled her eyes and smiled. Kenshin could be so cute sometimes. She remembered his confused face as the water in the laundry bucket turned into a meal for eight, and his baffled "Oro!?"
A sound at the gate shook Kaoru out of her reverie. It was the mail man.
"Konnichiwa Ms Kaoru!" the mail man called.
"Konnichiwa Shinju!" She returned.
He opened the gate and made his way up to Kaoru.
"Looks like you've got mail from the states. Thought you'd want it." He said, handing her the mail.
"Oh, really? Thanks!" She said, sifting through all of the envelopes.
"Well, I'd better get going. I've got a lot of mail to deliver yet." He said, waving and walking off.
Kaoru put all of the junk mail in a neat pile, and was left with one last envelope. She looked it over. There was no return address, and the stamp was a tulip with the small letters "USA" in the corner.
She reluctantly opened the envelope and read the letter. Her eyes grew big and a grin found it's way to her face.
"Kenshin!" She called excitedly. He rushed over.
"What happened Kaoru-dono?!" He asked, worried she had gotten hurt or some such thing had happened.
"Read this!" She said, thrusting the paper into his hands.
"Dear Kaoru,
How are you? It's been awhile, hasn't it? It's me, Tougi! Our families were really close long ago. Well, I'm sure you remember that, don't you? Well, I'm writing because Mother, Father, and I would all love to see you again. It was really hard leaving you behind in Japan. Why don't you come to America to visit us? Bring a few of your friends too! I've included six tickets in the envelope you're holding, so you don't have to worry about the cost.
Now about the details. Your flight is leaving June 20, at 8 AM sharp. When your plane lands, I'll be at the airport in Illinois to pick you and your friends up. I'd like for you to stay for at least a month, so pack appropriately. We'll probably go a few places when you're here too. You don't need to worry about money. Father is the head of one of the most successful corporations in the whole United States. It's all on us. Well, I guess that takes care of everything. I hope to see you there!
~Tougi"
"Wow. Today is June 16. You'll have to hurry, that you will." Kenshin said, his eyes as big as saucers.
Kaoru smiled. "We. We have to hurry. I'd like you to go with me."
Kenshin blushed and smiled back, "I'd be honored, that I would."
"Good, let's go tell Sano and Yahiko!" She said.
"Tell us what?" Sanosuke asked. Yahiko stood beside him, looking questioningly at Kaoru.
"You guys are going to America with us!"
Sanosuke rolled his eyes. "I'm serious. Tell us what?"
"I'm serious too! Read for your self!" Kaoru flung the letter at him. He read it and grinned.
"That's so cool! I always wanted to go to America!" Yahiko exclaimed.
For the first time in his life, Sanosuke was speechless. But it wouldn't last long.
"We're leaving in three days, so pack your things." Kaoru told them.
"That soon!?" Yahiko asked.
"Yes, why, is there a problem?" She asked.
"Yes! Tsubame is sick with the flu. I don't think she'll be well by then. I told Tae I'd help out with the Akabeko (AN: forgive me if I misspelled that... ^.^)!" He said.
"I'm sure she can find some one else." Kaoru assured him.
"No but... I want..." He blushed. "I want to stay with Tsubame until she's better."
"So you're going to miss out on America for your girlfriend?!" Sanosuke asked, wondering if he was out of his mind.
"She's not my girlfriend..." he lowered his voice, "yet.. And yes, I'm staying here."
"Who will you stay with Yahiko?" Kenshin asked.
"I'll stay with Tae. She won't mind."
"You're sure?" Kaoru asked.
Yahiko hesitated. "...Yes, I'm sure."
"Who else will we invite then?" Kaoru wondered.
"YOO HOO! KAORU! KENSHIN!" A cheerful voice called as it's owner entered the gate.
"Misao!? Aoshi!? What are you guys doing here?" Kaoru asked them.
"We're visiting." Misao said, grinning from ear to ear. Aoshi stayed silent, with the usual emotionless expression fixed on his face.
"Oh. Well, while you're here... How would you like to go to America with us?"
"America!? Really!? I'd love to!? For how long?"
"A month. Or maybe longer." Kaoru answered.
"Awesome! Can we go Aoshi-Sama!? Please please please please please!?!?!?" Misao asked him, folding her hands together and making a puppy dog face.
If one was watching very closely, one could see his eyes soften just a bit, and the corners of his mouth slightly turn up for a split second. But it was gone as fast as it had come, replaced with his icy gaze once again.
"If you wish." He replied, pretending to focus on something outside of the gate.
"Yay!" She gave him a hug and danced around happily.
"We leave in three days, so make sure you have your things." Kaoru said.
"Ai ai captain!" She said, saluting Kaoru and proceeded to literally drag Aoshi out of the gate.
They all sweat dropped.
"She sure is a little bundle of energy..." Sanosuke remarked.
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. One more person to invite... Who would it be? A light bulb flashed in her head.
"I'm going down to the clinic guys, I'll be back." She said, hurrying past.
"You're not gonna-"
"Can it, rooster head!"
Sanosuke sighed as he watched Kaoru hurry out the gate. "If she invites that woman, I swear...."
************
"I can't believe you invited her..." Sanosuke complained.
"If I knew YOU were going, I would have said no!" Megumi snapped.
It was June 20, and they were on the plane, headed for Chicago, Illinois.
"Give it a rest you two. You're going to have to learn to get along with eachother sooner or later." Kaoru stepped in, not wanting to hear them arguing for the entire way there.
"I pick later." Sanosuke and Megumi said in unison. They growled at eachother.
"Aoshi-Sama, look at the clouds! Aren't they so pretty!?" Misao said, pointing out the window.
"Pretty." Aoshi repeated in no particular tone, watching her eyes light up at every thing that delighted her. She didn't notice.
Kenshin sighed. He wondered about Kaoru's friend, Tougi. Could he be trusted? Did he have any thing other than friendship in store for her? No. Kenshin chided himself. He shouldn't judge. And he shouldn't think that way. After all, Kaoru wasn't really his. Although, he did have feelings for her. He wasn't sure he could live if she was with another man. She was the first thing he thought of when he woke up in the morning, and the last thing he thought of before falling asleep at night. At first he had tried to deny his feelings, thinking they would only endanger her. But it was so hard. She kept popping into his mind. The more he tried to push her out, the more she found her way back in.
He shook his head. He would tell her. As soon as the timing was right, he would profess his love to her. He nodded. But what if she didn't feel the same? What if she only loved him as a brother? He sighed. He couldn't wait to get to America. He suddenly felt tired.
Kaoru heard him sigh. "Is something wrong kenshin?" She asked.
"No Miss Kaoru, I just feel tired, that's all." He said, plastering his rurouni smile on his face.
Kaoru smiled back. He was so cute. She had fallen in love with him the first day she saw him. She couldn't really say it was the first moment, because at that point in time she had thought he was the guy who was going around insulting her father and the Kamiya dojo. But after she found out, she allowed herself to see everything she had over looked before. But she probably didn't have any chance. Kenshin was nice to every one. And he never showed any signs of interest. Maybe she was too tomboyish... But it wasn't really her fault she was like that. Her father taught her Kendo and all sorts of other things that a girl might not participate in. She just didn't like being 'girly'. Well, don't get her wrong, she did like to dress up in kimonos and other girl things once in a while, she just didn't feel the need to cake on layers of make up and do her nails and what not. It was unimportant.
She turned her attention to the clouds floating past. It was going to be a long flight.
**********
*Click* Kaoru looked up to see the "seat belt" lights turn on. She fastened her seatbelt and clutched the arm rests as the plane landed. When they had stopped moving, she looked out the window and was relieved to see that nothing had gone wrong. She had heard a lot of bad things about planes.
"You may now take off your seat belts. We hope you enjoyed your flight and thank you for flying American Airlines." The stewardess said over the intercom.
Kaoru took off her seat belt and motioned for everyone in the group to follow her.
"Every one grab a hold of some one so no one gets lost." Misao said, taking Aoshi's hand without hesitation. Aoshi almost smiled, but held back. He liked the feeling he got whenever she touched him. Her hand was soft and warm, and so small compared to his. He gave her hand a small squeeze, which caused her to blush and look up at him with a shy smile.
Kenshin gently took Kaoru's arm in his to make sure neither of them would get seperated in the large crowd as Misao had suggested. As soon as he touched her a shock went down his spine, and little did he know, hers too. Kaoru's cheeks turned a light shade of pink.
Megumi rolled her eyes and grabbed a fist full of Sanosuke's hair.
"OUCH!" Sanosuke protested. "Let go of my hair!"
"Well they didn't say I had to hold your hand." She said, grinning mischeviously.
"Let go you- YEEEOOOOWWW!" Megumi pulled him along after her, still holding onto his hair.
They all went and picked up their luggage and searched for Tougi.
"I think we're going in circles." Megumi pointed out.
"I don't exactly remember what he looks like..." Kaoru said, grinning sheepishly.
Every one sweatdropped.
"WHADDYA MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE!?!?" Sanosuke exploded.
"Kaoru, is that you?"
Kaoru turned around and came face to face with a young man that had black hair and forest green eyes. He towered a full 8 inches above her.
"Tougi!" She exclaimed, giving him a hug. "You've certainly grown."
Tougi smiled and hugged her back. "You've grown too. The cute little girl I used to adore has grown into a beautiful woman!" He exclaimed, laughing.
Kaoru blushed.
"These are your friends, correct? Welcome to America! We can all get aquainted later, for now we should get out of here. Right this way, the limo is waiting outside." Tougi said, steering them all towards the door. He was holding her arm, Kenshin noticed. So much for the buddy system. Kenshin frowned and mentally smacked himself. She didn't always have to be around him, yet he couldn't help feeling a small pang of jealousy. He sighed and followed after the group.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
So how is it so far? Good? Needs more work? I was really bored with the first part, it was really tough to start it out, but everything seemed to fall into place after that. ^.^ Please review and tell me what you think! Also, don't hesitate to give me ideas of what they can do while they are in America! Thanks for reading and hope you stick around for more! Ja!
~Seien
"Oro" - Kenshin's trademark way of saying "Huh?" or "eh?"
"Konnichiwa" - Good afternoon.
"-dono" - A suffix added for respect. Basically "Miss Kaoru"