Summary: Two strong men: Lord Seijuro and Lord Shishio have waged a private
war between each other, sending assassins after their highest ranking
government officials. When one of Shishio's men strikes Lord Seijuro's
steward and his family, leaving no survivors except for the steward's
daughter, Lord Seijuro is forced to withdraw from the war and forced to
watch from the sidelines. That is, until the daughter has come of age to
become stewardess, marry, and take over Lord Seijuro's throne in case the
worst should happen to him.
Warning: Definite OOCness when it comes to Kaoru's father, but be patient! It will make sense in the end! ^-^
Disclaimer: No, I certainly do not own Rurouni Kenshin, but do you know who does? Nobuhiro Watsuki! (
Definitions:
¤ Torihanasu - to release, to let go of
¤ Arigatou - thank you
¤ Otousan - father
¤ Unn - er, well . groan
¤ Maa - you might say
¤¤**¤¤
A Love for One Hated
By: Mystic Song
Chapter 1 ~ Taken!
¤¤**¤¤
"Let me go!" Raged a girl at the age of 17, her raven hair flipping over her face, concealing her piercing blue eyes. "Torihanasu!"
Two men held onto her delicate wrists with an iron grasp. "You were requested by Lord Seijuro. He is being very generous for letting you stay in his guest house so that you can visit your father."
"My father is a strong man, he doesn't need me at his side! I have a dojo to keep up with, and students to teach!" The girl screeched, flailing her arms and legs, trying desperately to loosen their death grip on her.
"Calm down, woman!" Cried the second man after being punched in the nose by the girl's fist. "We're almost there!"
"It's Kamiya-san to you!" The girl yelped as he tugged harshly at her arm, throwing her on a doorstep of a relatively small house.
"Your guest room, Kamiya-san," The first man said, rapping on the front door.
The door opened to a tall guard with spiky brown hair, chocolate eyes, and a red bandanna tied across his forehead. He was chewing on a fish bone. "What d'ya want, Joji?" The man asked, crossing his arms at his chest.
The man who had thrown the girl down on the ground answered the guard. "Lord Seijuro requested Kamiya Kaoru to stay in the guest room until he beckons her. You are to keep her here and watch after her, Sanosuke."
"Kaoru Kamiya, as in Hitokiri Kamiya's daughter?" Sanosuke asked, wide- eyed. Kaoru folded her arms disapprovingly and diverted her eyes away from the guard's boyish face. "Well, what a surprise, come on in Jou-chan."
Kaoru shot her eyes up at the man and gave him an icy-blue glare. "It's Kamiya-san to you."
"Yea, yea, Jou-chan, lets get you inside before any of those other soldiers see such pretty curves stumble into my home." Sanosuke said with a large grin on his face. He grabbed onto Kaoru's arm and half lifted, half dragged the girl inside.
"Your home?" The man called Joji laughed from outside. "It's the guest quarters!"
Sanosuke shrugged. "Same difference. I'll see you guys later!" Joji and his companion waved before leaving the doorstep and headed up to a grand castle to the left of the house.
"You're friends with them!" Kaoru shrieked in outrage.
Sanosuke grinned once again as he saw the fuming girl balling her hands into tight fists. "Yea, I suppose so. We get together to gamble, and that's really it."
Kaoru looked disapprovingly up at Sanosuke. "No wonder you call the guest quarters your home, you must not have enough money to support a house let alone yourself!"
"Now listen here, Jou-chan," Sanosuke said seriously, pointing a threatening finger at Kaoru, "I know I'm not the richest guy around, but it sure beats being pampered like I bet you always are!"
"Excuse me?" Kaoru yelled, stomping her foot hard into the ground. "I ran away from home and started a dojo ... on my own! I didn't like how my father used Satsujin-ken for killing, so I used the Katusujin-ken as a founding principle to the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu: the sword that protects! A sword should never be used for killing, only for protecting the people around you!"
"Whoa, just hold on a minute!" Sanosuke said quickly to the girl who was seething with anger, placing his hands up in a defensive manner. "I didn't mean to offend you at all!"
"Well you did." Kaoru said stiffly, turning her head away from Sanosuke as she folded her arms across her chest.
"Plus, I prefer hand combat over sword fighting, even though I keep my Zanbatou just in case." Sanosuke said, almost as an afterthought.
Kaoru looked up, her eyes softening to a deep blue hue. "Really?" She asked, thoroughly interested.
Sanosuke nodded. "Yea, and if you want, I can show you a bit of it. But for now, I suggest you get to know the place, cause I don't think Lord Seijuro will be calling for you for another couple days."
Kaoru sighed and nodded in agreement. She followed Sanosuke up a set of stairs by the doorway and into a foyer. Kaoru's eyes widened in interest as she saw the multitude of rooms lining the hallway.
"This room," Sanosuke said abruptly as he pushed open a door to his left. "Will be your room. My room is in that back corner in case you need anything." Kaoru nodded appreciatively and stepped into the room.
Her jaw dropped in shock. It was a large room with pink fluffy carpet. The walls were white with soft pastel colored sakuras. Her four-poster bed was large with a soft pink comforter and sheer periwinkle drapes lined with lace. On the draperies surrounding the bed were little designs of sakura petals in white thread. The furniture in the room were all cream colored, even the wood of the desk and bed stand were cream colored. The couches had small patterns whose colors matched the pastel colors on the wall. Kaoru knew that pink wasn't exactly her color, but the room was so pretty that she couldn't help but admire it.
"It's nice, isn't it?" Sanosuke said, wanting to say more about it, but knew that if he did, he would risk losing the job as well as his life.
Kaoru could only nod in agreement.
"Well," Sanosuke said, breaking the silence that fell over the pair. "Your bath is behind that door in the corner, and the closet over here is filled with the necessary kimonos and yukatas you'll need."
"Um, Sano?" Kaoru asked softly, raising a finger to her lips in a questioning manner. "Is it possible that I could just wear gi's and hakama's around the house?"
Sanosuke quirked an eyebrow. "I suppose it wouldn't be too much of a deal, so I'll just fetch you one of the outfits out of the Battousai's room."
"The B-Battousai?" Kaoru stuttered, clutching the nearby bedpost. The Battousai was one of the most feared assassins in all of Kyoto.
Sanosuke mentally smacked himself, this was one thing he wasn't supposed to let Kaoru know...perhaps if he only told her a little bit, just enough to settle her curiosity. "Um, yea, each room is designed for a different guest, each to their own liking and status."
"But then whose room did this room belong to?" Kaoru asked, curiosity getting the better of her. "Or was it designed for me?"
Sanosuke fidgeted under the questioning look Kaoru gave him. "Uh...I'm not quite sure..." Sanosuke lied.
Kaoru saw right through Sano, but decided not to press on the matter if it made Sanosuke that uncomfortable. "All right," she said cheerfully, "I think I'm going to take a bath. If you could lay the clothes on the bed that would be great, Sano. Arigatou."
Sanosuke nodded and exited the room to fetch an outfit from the Battousai's closet. "Man, that was a close one." Sanosuke breathed, wiping the sweat he had been acquiring on his brow without realizing it. "If she realized that that room had always been hers since she was born, she would be in a frenzy! They had taken great measures in order for Jou-chan not to remember a thing about life . well life before the . incident."
¤¤
Kaoru sighed and slipped into the tub, letting the warm water overtake her senses. She couldn't remember a time when she had been more comfortable. She took a deep breath and ducked her head underneath the water. She finally had time to herself to think about what was going on.
~flashback~
"Buh-bye, sensei!" Kaoru's students from the morning class called as they ran out of the dojo.
"Bye!" Kaoru called back cheerfully. She loved to teach her students the art of swordsmanship.
Kaoru bent down, rearranging the various bokkens and shinais onto their appropriate racks. She was just about to pick out the bokkens and shinais that would need repairing when she noticed the shadows of two burly men creep up from behind her.
"How can I help you?" Kaoru asked suddenly, swinging her body to face the two men.
The men flinched. "Uh, are you Kamiya Kaoru?"
Kaoru narrowed her eyes a fraction when she felt the unpleasant auras of the two men. It was a skill she required from her otousan, allowing her to sense people around her and determine whether they were friendly or not. These men were definitely up to no good.
She slowly stood up, stealthily placing a bokken behind her back in case she would need to use it. These two men didn't look too nice with their expressionless eyes and swords strapped to their waists.
Kaoru slightly bowed her head in acknowledgment of the man's question. "Hai, I am Kamiya Kaoru."
"Your father has been injured badly and is currently being treated at Lord Seijuro's palace. You are being summoned by both your father and Lord Seijuro." One man said as the other man slowly edged forward.
Kaoru scowled at the mention of her father. She had not seen him in four years, when she was 13! "I must disincline." Kaoru said stubbornly, gripping her bokken tightly as one of the men continued to creep closer to Kaoru.
"Ah, we were informed that you might refuse the Lord's bidding." The man closest to the door said gravely. He bowed his head to his comrade, who leapt at Kaoru.
Kaoru swung her bokken up, blocking the blow that the attacking man had thrown at her. The man growled and threw another punch in Kaoru's direction. Kaoru stepped aside and launched her bokken forward, striking the man hard in the chest. He fell to the ground. She was about to send a challenging glare at the other man, but he was gone. Kaoru turned around, slightly confused, when she felt something knock her off her feet.
"That was cheap!" Kaoru cried, pushing herself back off the ground.
The man chuckled. "Just following orders." Kaoru growled and lunged forward when the man she had knocked down grabbed her around the waist.
"Quick!" He cried as Kaoru thrashed around in his grasp. The two men gripped Kaoru as the lugged her up towards the palace.
~end flashback~
Kaoru blew bubbles on the surface of the bathtub, hoping that this would relieve her stress. She didn't like being beaten by two men she should normally be able to take down. So now she was stuck in this somewhat nice house, waiting to be called upon by either her father or Lord Seijuro.
Kaoru cautiously stood up out of the bathtub and walked out of the bathroom and over to her bed where a fuchsia gi and white hakama were waiting for her. She silently slipped into the clothes that actually fit her quite nicely, not acknowledging the fact that these indeed belonged to the Hitokiri Battousai.
The moon seeped through the bedroom window and splayed across Kaoru's body. She turned curiously to the window and noticed that there was a latch that she could open to climb up onto the roof. She eagerly went to the window seat and quietly opened the window. She peeked her head out of the window and hoisted herself up off the windowsill and onto the roof. There Kaoru sat, looking out over the vast landscape that belonged to Lord Seijuro.
A soft sigh escaped Kaoru's lips as she noted the various ponds and trees that were scattered across the property. It was truly very nice. Yet as her gaze wandered towards the castle, agitation had spread throughout her body. "I will not wait until I am beckoned for by the Lord like some servant!" She was about to leap off the roof and run away when a voice sounded from within Kaoru's room.
"Jou-chan! I've got some fo- Kaoru! Where are you?" Kaoru stifled a giggle as she heard Sanosuke frantically search the room for her.
"Sano, relax!" Kaoru giggled as she lowered herself onto the window's ledge.
"Be careful!" Sano warned, rushing over to the window in case she needed any assistance. "I don't want to be responsible for you falling out the window."
Kaoru giggled and closed the window behind her. "Now what were you saying?"
"Oh!" Sanosuke said anxiously, "One of the cooks from the palace came down to make you dinner. The food's ready whenever you are."
Kaoru nodded and turned to exit the room when she noticed that Sanosuke was staring at her. "What is it?" Kaoru asked, slightly annoyed.
"I think I'll hafta let Battousai know how well his clothes fit other women." Sanosuke joked, a goofy grin spreading across his carefree face.
"You talk as if you were friends with him." Kaoru said, pausing before stepping out of the room.
"That's because I am!" Sanosuke said proudly. "He's a really nice guy once you get to know him."
"But he's a Hitokiri, an assassin. How can you ever befriend an assassin?" Kaoru said softly, disgust outlining her voice.
Sanosuke looked offended. "You haven't met the guy! Who knows, you might find him to be kind in time."
"In time?" Kaoru questioned, tilting her head to the side.
Sanosuke quickly shut his mouth and bit his lip. "Uh, I mean, that is if you ever get the opportunity to meet him." Sanosuke wanted to slap himself once again for telling the girl too much.
"Mmhmm," Kaoru said, fairly amused.
"Unn, dinner's ready!" Sanosuke said quickly, his hand jumping up to rub the back of his neck.
Kaoru nodded and strolled down the steps and into the dining area.
"Here you are, Kamiya-dono." A servant said politely as she handed Kaoru a bowl of chili.
"Please," Kaoru said gently, "Just call me Kaoru."
The servant smiled and pushed the stray brown hair behind her ears. "Then, if it's not too bold to say, Kaoru-dono, please call me Tsubame."
Kaoru nodded. "Of course, Tsubame-kun." The little girl grinned and went to serve Sano.
"Hey, you got any seconds of this?" Sano asked as he chugged down the chili.
"Maa, you rooster head!" Tsubame giggled. "You'll hafta ask Tae."
"Tae?" Kaoru asked curiously, feeling at ease with the relaxed atmosphere Sano and Tsubame were presenting.
"The cook." Sano said with food still in his mouth.
"You could at least answer me with your mouth closed." Kaoru teased. Sanosuke shrugged and continued to finish off his bowl of chili.
After the meal was finished, Kaoru helped Tae and Tsubame clean up the dishes before saying her goodnights and retired to her room.
"Now don't go crawling out the window!" Sanosuke said, shaking a finger at Kaoru.
Kaoru laughed. "No, not tonight. Good night."
"Good night!" Sanosuke, Tsubame, and Tae replied simultaneously.
Kaoru headed up the stairs and changed out of the gi and hakama, neatly folding them and then placing them in the hamper. She then made her way over to the closet, pulling out one of the more modest-looking yukatas and tugged it on over her head. After brushing out the tangles in her black tresses, she slid underneath her covers and drifted off to sleep.
.tbc.
¤¤**¤¤
A/N: Yay! I got the first chapter up! Yeah, I know Kenshin hasn't been introduced yet . but he will appear in the next chapter as well as others from the gang! Soo . what d'ya think? Avoid flames, the fireplace has enough of 'em, and settle for constructive criticism! ;-D The next chapter will be posted in a few days. ^-^) ARIGATOU!
Warning: Definite OOCness when it comes to Kaoru's father, but be patient! It will make sense in the end! ^-^
Disclaimer: No, I certainly do not own Rurouni Kenshin, but do you know who does? Nobuhiro Watsuki! (
Definitions:
¤ Torihanasu - to release, to let go of
¤ Arigatou - thank you
¤ Otousan - father
¤ Unn - er, well . groan
¤ Maa - you might say
¤¤**¤¤
A Love for One Hated
By: Mystic Song
Chapter 1 ~ Taken!
¤¤**¤¤
"Let me go!" Raged a girl at the age of 17, her raven hair flipping over her face, concealing her piercing blue eyes. "Torihanasu!"
Two men held onto her delicate wrists with an iron grasp. "You were requested by Lord Seijuro. He is being very generous for letting you stay in his guest house so that you can visit your father."
"My father is a strong man, he doesn't need me at his side! I have a dojo to keep up with, and students to teach!" The girl screeched, flailing her arms and legs, trying desperately to loosen their death grip on her.
"Calm down, woman!" Cried the second man after being punched in the nose by the girl's fist. "We're almost there!"
"It's Kamiya-san to you!" The girl yelped as he tugged harshly at her arm, throwing her on a doorstep of a relatively small house.
"Your guest room, Kamiya-san," The first man said, rapping on the front door.
The door opened to a tall guard with spiky brown hair, chocolate eyes, and a red bandanna tied across his forehead. He was chewing on a fish bone. "What d'ya want, Joji?" The man asked, crossing his arms at his chest.
The man who had thrown the girl down on the ground answered the guard. "Lord Seijuro requested Kamiya Kaoru to stay in the guest room until he beckons her. You are to keep her here and watch after her, Sanosuke."
"Kaoru Kamiya, as in Hitokiri Kamiya's daughter?" Sanosuke asked, wide- eyed. Kaoru folded her arms disapprovingly and diverted her eyes away from the guard's boyish face. "Well, what a surprise, come on in Jou-chan."
Kaoru shot her eyes up at the man and gave him an icy-blue glare. "It's Kamiya-san to you."
"Yea, yea, Jou-chan, lets get you inside before any of those other soldiers see such pretty curves stumble into my home." Sanosuke said with a large grin on his face. He grabbed onto Kaoru's arm and half lifted, half dragged the girl inside.
"Your home?" The man called Joji laughed from outside. "It's the guest quarters!"
Sanosuke shrugged. "Same difference. I'll see you guys later!" Joji and his companion waved before leaving the doorstep and headed up to a grand castle to the left of the house.
"You're friends with them!" Kaoru shrieked in outrage.
Sanosuke grinned once again as he saw the fuming girl balling her hands into tight fists. "Yea, I suppose so. We get together to gamble, and that's really it."
Kaoru looked disapprovingly up at Sanosuke. "No wonder you call the guest quarters your home, you must not have enough money to support a house let alone yourself!"
"Now listen here, Jou-chan," Sanosuke said seriously, pointing a threatening finger at Kaoru, "I know I'm not the richest guy around, but it sure beats being pampered like I bet you always are!"
"Excuse me?" Kaoru yelled, stomping her foot hard into the ground. "I ran away from home and started a dojo ... on my own! I didn't like how my father used Satsujin-ken for killing, so I used the Katusujin-ken as a founding principle to the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu: the sword that protects! A sword should never be used for killing, only for protecting the people around you!"
"Whoa, just hold on a minute!" Sanosuke said quickly to the girl who was seething with anger, placing his hands up in a defensive manner. "I didn't mean to offend you at all!"
"Well you did." Kaoru said stiffly, turning her head away from Sanosuke as she folded her arms across her chest.
"Plus, I prefer hand combat over sword fighting, even though I keep my Zanbatou just in case." Sanosuke said, almost as an afterthought.
Kaoru looked up, her eyes softening to a deep blue hue. "Really?" She asked, thoroughly interested.
Sanosuke nodded. "Yea, and if you want, I can show you a bit of it. But for now, I suggest you get to know the place, cause I don't think Lord Seijuro will be calling for you for another couple days."
Kaoru sighed and nodded in agreement. She followed Sanosuke up a set of stairs by the doorway and into a foyer. Kaoru's eyes widened in interest as she saw the multitude of rooms lining the hallway.
"This room," Sanosuke said abruptly as he pushed open a door to his left. "Will be your room. My room is in that back corner in case you need anything." Kaoru nodded appreciatively and stepped into the room.
Her jaw dropped in shock. It was a large room with pink fluffy carpet. The walls were white with soft pastel colored sakuras. Her four-poster bed was large with a soft pink comforter and sheer periwinkle drapes lined with lace. On the draperies surrounding the bed were little designs of sakura petals in white thread. The furniture in the room were all cream colored, even the wood of the desk and bed stand were cream colored. The couches had small patterns whose colors matched the pastel colors on the wall. Kaoru knew that pink wasn't exactly her color, but the room was so pretty that she couldn't help but admire it.
"It's nice, isn't it?" Sanosuke said, wanting to say more about it, but knew that if he did, he would risk losing the job as well as his life.
Kaoru could only nod in agreement.
"Well," Sanosuke said, breaking the silence that fell over the pair. "Your bath is behind that door in the corner, and the closet over here is filled with the necessary kimonos and yukatas you'll need."
"Um, Sano?" Kaoru asked softly, raising a finger to her lips in a questioning manner. "Is it possible that I could just wear gi's and hakama's around the house?"
Sanosuke quirked an eyebrow. "I suppose it wouldn't be too much of a deal, so I'll just fetch you one of the outfits out of the Battousai's room."
"The B-Battousai?" Kaoru stuttered, clutching the nearby bedpost. The Battousai was one of the most feared assassins in all of Kyoto.
Sanosuke mentally smacked himself, this was one thing he wasn't supposed to let Kaoru know...perhaps if he only told her a little bit, just enough to settle her curiosity. "Um, yea, each room is designed for a different guest, each to their own liking and status."
"But then whose room did this room belong to?" Kaoru asked, curiosity getting the better of her. "Or was it designed for me?"
Sanosuke fidgeted under the questioning look Kaoru gave him. "Uh...I'm not quite sure..." Sanosuke lied.
Kaoru saw right through Sano, but decided not to press on the matter if it made Sanosuke that uncomfortable. "All right," she said cheerfully, "I think I'm going to take a bath. If you could lay the clothes on the bed that would be great, Sano. Arigatou."
Sanosuke nodded and exited the room to fetch an outfit from the Battousai's closet. "Man, that was a close one." Sanosuke breathed, wiping the sweat he had been acquiring on his brow without realizing it. "If she realized that that room had always been hers since she was born, she would be in a frenzy! They had taken great measures in order for Jou-chan not to remember a thing about life . well life before the . incident."
¤¤
Kaoru sighed and slipped into the tub, letting the warm water overtake her senses. She couldn't remember a time when she had been more comfortable. She took a deep breath and ducked her head underneath the water. She finally had time to herself to think about what was going on.
~flashback~
"Buh-bye, sensei!" Kaoru's students from the morning class called as they ran out of the dojo.
"Bye!" Kaoru called back cheerfully. She loved to teach her students the art of swordsmanship.
Kaoru bent down, rearranging the various bokkens and shinais onto their appropriate racks. She was just about to pick out the bokkens and shinais that would need repairing when she noticed the shadows of two burly men creep up from behind her.
"How can I help you?" Kaoru asked suddenly, swinging her body to face the two men.
The men flinched. "Uh, are you Kamiya Kaoru?"
Kaoru narrowed her eyes a fraction when she felt the unpleasant auras of the two men. It was a skill she required from her otousan, allowing her to sense people around her and determine whether they were friendly or not. These men were definitely up to no good.
She slowly stood up, stealthily placing a bokken behind her back in case she would need to use it. These two men didn't look too nice with their expressionless eyes and swords strapped to their waists.
Kaoru slightly bowed her head in acknowledgment of the man's question. "Hai, I am Kamiya Kaoru."
"Your father has been injured badly and is currently being treated at Lord Seijuro's palace. You are being summoned by both your father and Lord Seijuro." One man said as the other man slowly edged forward.
Kaoru scowled at the mention of her father. She had not seen him in four years, when she was 13! "I must disincline." Kaoru said stubbornly, gripping her bokken tightly as one of the men continued to creep closer to Kaoru.
"Ah, we were informed that you might refuse the Lord's bidding." The man closest to the door said gravely. He bowed his head to his comrade, who leapt at Kaoru.
Kaoru swung her bokken up, blocking the blow that the attacking man had thrown at her. The man growled and threw another punch in Kaoru's direction. Kaoru stepped aside and launched her bokken forward, striking the man hard in the chest. He fell to the ground. She was about to send a challenging glare at the other man, but he was gone. Kaoru turned around, slightly confused, when she felt something knock her off her feet.
"That was cheap!" Kaoru cried, pushing herself back off the ground.
The man chuckled. "Just following orders." Kaoru growled and lunged forward when the man she had knocked down grabbed her around the waist.
"Quick!" He cried as Kaoru thrashed around in his grasp. The two men gripped Kaoru as the lugged her up towards the palace.
~end flashback~
Kaoru blew bubbles on the surface of the bathtub, hoping that this would relieve her stress. She didn't like being beaten by two men she should normally be able to take down. So now she was stuck in this somewhat nice house, waiting to be called upon by either her father or Lord Seijuro.
Kaoru cautiously stood up out of the bathtub and walked out of the bathroom and over to her bed where a fuchsia gi and white hakama were waiting for her. She silently slipped into the clothes that actually fit her quite nicely, not acknowledging the fact that these indeed belonged to the Hitokiri Battousai.
The moon seeped through the bedroom window and splayed across Kaoru's body. She turned curiously to the window and noticed that there was a latch that she could open to climb up onto the roof. She eagerly went to the window seat and quietly opened the window. She peeked her head out of the window and hoisted herself up off the windowsill and onto the roof. There Kaoru sat, looking out over the vast landscape that belonged to Lord Seijuro.
A soft sigh escaped Kaoru's lips as she noted the various ponds and trees that were scattered across the property. It was truly very nice. Yet as her gaze wandered towards the castle, agitation had spread throughout her body. "I will not wait until I am beckoned for by the Lord like some servant!" She was about to leap off the roof and run away when a voice sounded from within Kaoru's room.
"Jou-chan! I've got some fo- Kaoru! Where are you?" Kaoru stifled a giggle as she heard Sanosuke frantically search the room for her.
"Sano, relax!" Kaoru giggled as she lowered herself onto the window's ledge.
"Be careful!" Sano warned, rushing over to the window in case she needed any assistance. "I don't want to be responsible for you falling out the window."
Kaoru giggled and closed the window behind her. "Now what were you saying?"
"Oh!" Sanosuke said anxiously, "One of the cooks from the palace came down to make you dinner. The food's ready whenever you are."
Kaoru nodded and turned to exit the room when she noticed that Sanosuke was staring at her. "What is it?" Kaoru asked, slightly annoyed.
"I think I'll hafta let Battousai know how well his clothes fit other women." Sanosuke joked, a goofy grin spreading across his carefree face.
"You talk as if you were friends with him." Kaoru said, pausing before stepping out of the room.
"That's because I am!" Sanosuke said proudly. "He's a really nice guy once you get to know him."
"But he's a Hitokiri, an assassin. How can you ever befriend an assassin?" Kaoru said softly, disgust outlining her voice.
Sanosuke looked offended. "You haven't met the guy! Who knows, you might find him to be kind in time."
"In time?" Kaoru questioned, tilting her head to the side.
Sanosuke quickly shut his mouth and bit his lip. "Uh, I mean, that is if you ever get the opportunity to meet him." Sanosuke wanted to slap himself once again for telling the girl too much.
"Mmhmm," Kaoru said, fairly amused.
"Unn, dinner's ready!" Sanosuke said quickly, his hand jumping up to rub the back of his neck.
Kaoru nodded and strolled down the steps and into the dining area.
"Here you are, Kamiya-dono." A servant said politely as she handed Kaoru a bowl of chili.
"Please," Kaoru said gently, "Just call me Kaoru."
The servant smiled and pushed the stray brown hair behind her ears. "Then, if it's not too bold to say, Kaoru-dono, please call me Tsubame."
Kaoru nodded. "Of course, Tsubame-kun." The little girl grinned and went to serve Sano.
"Hey, you got any seconds of this?" Sano asked as he chugged down the chili.
"Maa, you rooster head!" Tsubame giggled. "You'll hafta ask Tae."
"Tae?" Kaoru asked curiously, feeling at ease with the relaxed atmosphere Sano and Tsubame were presenting.
"The cook." Sano said with food still in his mouth.
"You could at least answer me with your mouth closed." Kaoru teased. Sanosuke shrugged and continued to finish off his bowl of chili.
After the meal was finished, Kaoru helped Tae and Tsubame clean up the dishes before saying her goodnights and retired to her room.
"Now don't go crawling out the window!" Sanosuke said, shaking a finger at Kaoru.
Kaoru laughed. "No, not tonight. Good night."
"Good night!" Sanosuke, Tsubame, and Tae replied simultaneously.
Kaoru headed up the stairs and changed out of the gi and hakama, neatly folding them and then placing them in the hamper. She then made her way over to the closet, pulling out one of the more modest-looking yukatas and tugged it on over her head. After brushing out the tangles in her black tresses, she slid underneath her covers and drifted off to sleep.
.tbc.
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A/N: Yay! I got the first chapter up! Yeah, I know Kenshin hasn't been introduced yet . but he will appear in the next chapter as well as others from the gang! Soo . what d'ya think? Avoid flames, the fireplace has enough of 'em, and settle for constructive criticism! ;-D The next chapter will be posted in a few days. ^-^) ARIGATOU!