I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Sadly.

The Feather Bed

By Shiara-dono

Special thanks to my sister, who gave me the basis of this story by telling me a dream she had.

(slightly o/c)

"KENSHIN!!" Kaoru's voice rang through the still air.

"Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin dropped the day's shopping and ran into the dojo. He was greeted by stunned silence that seemed to emanate from Kaoru's room. Kenshin's hand fell to the hilt of his sword as he walked into the room.

Kaoru stood there, mouth agape and eyes wide. She was staring at the new object in her room.

Kenshin stepped up next to Kaoru, his face mirroring hers.

Kaoru glanced at him. "Is… is that a …… what is it?"

"It's a feather bed, that it is."

"You've seen one before?"

"No, but it says so right there." He pointed to a tag peeking out from underneath it.

Kaoru glowered, and hit him over the head with her ever present bokken.

"Orororo…"

After a few moments of unconsciousness, Kenshin got up and poked the feather bed. He was surprised when his finger sunk into the white fluff. He poked it again and the same thing happened. Grinning, he proceeded to poke every inch of the bed.

Kaoru watched in awe. This childlike playfulness was a side of Kenshin she had never seen.

Kenshin turned around, glanced at Kaoru, then walked out of the room.

"Kenshin?"

:: Tmp! Tmp! Tmp! Tmp:: The sound of running feet.

Kenshin came running in, took a flying leap, and landed on his stomach in the middle of the bed.

Kaoru gasped.

Kenshin faced her, a silly grin plastered on his face. "Oooh, Miss Kaoru. You've gotta try that." He jumped off the bed.

Kaoru shrugged, and did as he suggested. She was laughing as she hit the bed. "Wow, it's fun!"

After that, Kenshin and Kaoru took turns jumping on the bed. Their laughter floated through the air.

Eight or so jumps later, Kaoru was laughing so hard, she was slow moving off the bed. Kenshin landed on top of her.

Kaoru's breath whooshed out of her. Gasping for air, she screeched, "Kenshin, … get off me. I can't…… breathe!"

Kenshin turned red and hastily moved away, mumbling apologies.

Kaoru rolled over, sucking air into her lungs. When she got her breath back, she started laughing again. "You… should have seen your… face!"

A smile slowly spread across Kenshin's face again. He sat on the bed, laughing with her.

"I guess we'll never know who gave us this bed, will we?" Kaoru asked him.

"Only if they want us to know." They grinned, and went back to jumping on the bed.

Outside, Yahiko and Sanosuke peeked over the dojo fence.

"Well, they like it." Sanosuke commented to Yahiko.

"I just thought they needed some fun. Kaoru really has been great for letting me stay here."

"But a bed?"

"It's the new thing. Just imported from Europe."

"You know, that's not like you."

"So what? It's a one time thing. And don't ever tell them it was me who bought it!"

Sanosuke just shook his head and smiled.

owari