Hello, and welcome to my second-ever-fanfic! My first one (which you can find on my author page) was only 6 chapters and this first chapter is longer than all of them put together almost. I'm putting this out there to see how much of a response I get. If even 1 person says they want more I will post more. I really hope you enjoy this as much as I did writing it. Some of the personalities have been influenced by a couple of other fanfic authors. Their stories are in my favorites list if you care to check them out!
Warning: mild language and suggestive adult themes ahead. Rated M.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. But I do own the plot.
She squeezed her eyes shut even tighter and pressed her palms flatter against her ears to try and shut out the screaming, if it could even be called that. The sound pierced through the ears, lancing pain across the brain, as if it were a physical thing, a sharp blade, stabbing and then slashing. The sound was pain, agony, and death manifested. Try as she might to escape from this nightmare, she knew her ears would echo with it until she drew final breath.
Chapter 1
Kaoru's face, upturned to the sky, relaxed as she absorbed the warmth of the sun's rays. Spring finally appeared, and the sun began warming the earth and her skin. She loved the snow and all its cold beauty in the winter, but she always longed for the familiar heat of summer. Spring was nice and she did admire all the lovely blooms, but she rarely looked at them so much as the sky. Kaoru could feel the sun again, and like a long lost lover she cared for nothing else.
Soon I won't be able to walk out here without sunscreen or at least a hat, thought Kaoru as she sighed gustily. She so loved the sun, even if it didn't entirely love her back. Even with her dark hair, Kaoru's skin could glow even in the darkest night. When asked how she could favor summer over any other season, given how easily her pale skin burned, she would only say that it is a preference. The real truth was that it was only during the bright days of summer that she could spend time with her father.
The faint shuffling of feet brought Kaoru's attention back to the present. She turned and smiled at the scowl she found.
"Yahiko, you can't go around looking like a dog without a bone all the time. Smile! It's spring!" Kaoru laughed when he sneezed at the word spring. She knew he hated this time of year. Ever since he first came to live with her family she'd seen him go through each spring stocked up on tissues, allergy pills, and a sour disposition.
"Kaoru, you stupid tanuki, get inside before you turn into a pink tanuki." She stuck her tongue out at him, but he'd already turned around and walked back through the patio doors. Sighing again, this time with a little disappointment, Kaoru turned her face to the sun one last time before heading back into the house. With spring came many responsibilities, including the reopening of the dojo. This year Yahiko would be able to help out in a more authoritative role than in the past. Kaoru grinned mischievously as she thought of all the tasks she would give him, including the most dreaded: parent/sensei conferences.
Her grandfather had first started the small school and her father had dutifully taken over when it became time. Some of Kaoru's fondest memories were of the dojo in the summer, practicing her katas while her father instructed. After her father passed away it became Kaoru's duty to either keep it running, sell it to someone else, or close it down for good. She couldn't bear the thought of the latter two, so she opted to stick around. It was not easy the past two years. She, herself, taught at the local high school and could only open it when her school finished for the day. Because of that, the beginners' class could only be held a few times a week and the advanced class once a week. Now that Yahiko graduated and could be there even when she couldn't, she decided to open it full time starting the first day of spring until the last day of fall. Winters were too cold, in her opinion, to do anything more than sit in front of the fire with tons of blankets and a pot of hot chocolate, but with the odd student who wished to actually compete in a tournament, she had to keep the dojo open for special training sessions.
Her cheerful attitude waned when she saw the stacks of papers on the dining room table. Just looking at them caused the space between her eyes to ache. Mentally adding headache pills to her list of needs for the day, she sat heavily in the chair opposite Yahiko.
"Alright, since I'm going to be head teacher this year, you get to do all the paperwork," Yahiko casually pushed the paper stacks in her direction without looking her in the eye. Kaoru immediately pushed them back.
"Oh no you don't. Head teacher does the paperwork. Every year I was the head I had to do it, so this year you are doing it." She punctuated the "you" with an index finger pointed in his face and a stern glare. When Yahiko had convinced her he was mature and responsible enough to take on the duties as head teacher, Kaoru had secretly been delighted. She loved her students and loved teaching them, but she had no desire to do any of the administrative work. Plus, she wanted Yahiko to become as familiar with how to run the dojo as she was, considering she already knew she would hand it all over to him soon enough.
"Everything alright Kaoru? You're not reconsidering putting me in charge are you? Because I know I've proven that I can handle this." Blinking quickly, Kaoru focused on Yahiko's face again. She felt the corners of her mouth pull back in a wolfish grin, but quickly turned them down into a pout. Yahiko never called her by her actual name unless he was absolutely serious and she intended to make full use of this sudden change in attitude. Breathing out a dramatic sigh and putting her chin in her hands, Kaoru looked up at Yahiko with the largest doe eyes she could muster.
"I honestly don't know Yahiko. I mean, with all the extra work I'm doing I just don't know if I can keep this up much longer. Maybe Jun is right and I should just sell the dojo to him so he can use it as a secondary location for his dojo. I mean, we only have a few students right now anyway, they can just transfer to Jun's school." She moved her hand over her face as if to cover her tears, but really it was because she could see the hair on Yahiko's head grow ever so slightly taller and practically bristle with indignation. She knew she shouldn't use Jun this way, and she really had no intention of ever selling the dojo. Yahiko, of course, knew that deep down, but he still hated just the thought of selling what his adoptive father worked so hard to keep alive.
"You ugly tanuki! I swear to you I won't ever let you sell grandfather's dojo! Especially to that slime ball Jun Tanaka. Why the hell you even put up with him is beyond me." Folding his arms across his chest, Yahiko leaned back in his chair but kept his back straight. As long as he sat that way he could look down his nose at Kaoru. In response she merely tilted her head back, giving the illusion of looking down her own nose.
"So, you'll agree to do all of the head instructor's duties? Including, but not limited to, the paperwork?" She watched his left eye twitch and allowed that wolfish grin to finally emerge. She had him, he knew it, and there was no way for escape.
"Fine. I will perform all the duties of head instructor, including, but not limited to, the paperwork. Satisfied?" Kaoru stuck a hand across the table and, with not a little bit of ire, Yahiko took hold of it and shook on the deal they'd just made.
"Speaking of Jun, though, he's coming by here for dinner." Kaoru tried to say it as nonchalantly as possible, hoping that Yahiko would just go along with it for once. She understood why Yahiko didn't like Jun. Hell, even she hated him in the beginning. But that was before…
"Ugh, really? But why? He was just here last Friday." Kaoru sighed a little but still had a small grin. No matter how old Yahiko became he could still act like a small, petulant child around her. She supposed it was because he came to her family at such a young age. His own family tragically passed in a car accident and her father, being his godfather, stood up and took charge. It had only been Kaoru and her father until the day he brought Yahiko home. Thinking of her father caused a sliver of grief to streak through the blue of her eyes. This past winter had made two years since his passing. Two years since…
"Anyway, you're not gonna cook for him are you? Then again, maybe you should. That'd be the best and surest way to get rid of the slimy snake." Yahiko deftly dodged the stapler thrown at his head, letting it clatter on the floor. "Hey, ugly, watch where you're throwin' stuff! That could have seriously injured the floor!" Laughter echoed throughout the Kamiya household as Kaoru and Yahiko chased each other around the kitchen and living room. She knew he only meant to pull her from the gloom in which she soon would find herself, and it made her love him more. He really was growing up into a fine young man.
"Alright, alright, truce!" Kaoru threw her hands up as she collapsed onto the couch. As soon as she did, she regretted it. The couch had not been replaced since her father first bought at least ten years before. The poor cushions were so worn out that Kaoru had been forced to re-stuff them periodically. To hide how threadbare the back and seat cushions were, Kaoru kept a quilt her grandmother made draped over the whole couch. Unfortunately, actually sitting on the couch was the awful part. The left arm's wooden structure tended to poke and jab and when you sat down particularly heavily, as Kaoru had, not only did you end up with a few bruises, but the quilt would fall around you and soon ensued a short wrestling match to even get off the couch.
"Yahiko! Help! Grandmother's trying to kill me again!" Soon Kaoru's sides ached from laughter as Yahiko had a mock battle with the overly large quilt. Finally escaped from the clutches of aged and weakened stitching, Kaoru stretched out along the length of the couch, tossing her feet over the opposite arm and crossing her ankles. A soft ding sounded from the dining room. Groaning and twisting her neck to look in the direction of the offending noise, Kaoru watched Yahiko pick her phone up off the table, frowning as he read the notification.
"Who is it Yahiko?"
"The snake. He says he's gonna be a few minutes late to dinner. Want me to tell him piss off?" Kaoru narrowed her eyes and slowly rolled onto her feet.
"You better not. Hand me the phone Yahiko." She held out her hand as she walked towards him. Yahiko pulled a face but relinquished the device. Kaoru heard him mutter something about slimy snakes as he stalked off to grab the last few things he needed before heading to the dojo.
Pressing the pad of her index finger on the home button, Kaoru unlocked the screen in order to read the full message from Jun. Of course he would be late. He's always late. She should feel exasperated, upset, something. But the truth was she felt nothing. Barely even a glimmer of disappointment. She and Jun started seeing each other exclusively about four months previous but only because Jun became rather aggressive in regards to their relationship. Kaoru honestly still didn't feel ready for any kind of relationship, but Jun did not take no for an answer and it had been two years…
Suddenly a loud drum beat signaling the beginning of a KPop song, and someone calling her, assaulted her ears, causing Kaoru to startle so violently she nearly dropped her phone. I don't know why I keep that ringtone when I nearly piss myself every time someone calls. Reading the caller id, she almost wished she didn't have to answer. Might as well get this over with. I'm gonna have to a serious discussion with him at some point; probably sooner, rather than later.
"Hello? Jun?" For a moment the line was so silent she thought the call had dropped somehow. "Hello? Hello? Are you there? Can you hear me?" A throat clearing and what sounded like a snort came through.
"Ah, yes, Kaoru. I called because you didn't respond to my text. Did you get it?" Biting her bottom lip and squeezing her eyes shut she held her breath for a moment in order to not snap back at him sarcastically. He hated it when she did that.
"Yes, I just received it and was actually in the middle of texting back when you called. I was—I was in the bathroom when you texted and had accidentally left my phone at the table where I was working. It won't happen again." Seriously, it had literally been two minutes from the time Yahiko picked up her phone until he called. Ever since he convinced her to officially date him he had become even more possessive and demanding not to mention controlling. He said in the very beginning that he respected her desire to continue teaching and working even after marriage and possibly children. The closer to that possibility, however, his attitude considerably worsened. "Listen, Jun, we need to talk when you get here for dinner tonight."
"Oh yeah, about dinner, I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to make it after all. Some things came up at work last second and I just can't get away." His emphasis on things and the distinctive giggle of the female variety in the background should have thrown Kaoru into a temper to end all tempers. However, she merely closed her eyes and fought off the creeping feeling of despair. It never mattered how angry she became at his indiscretions; he tossed her worries and feelings aside every time, calling her worrisome or a nag or spoilsport. Not once did he ever deny the claims or even try to give an explanation. He expected her to accept his lifestyle as it was, and had no intention of changing regardless of his relationship status.
"I understand. But we still need to talk. I—it's very important that we talk Jun, so please try and make time tomorrow." Silence again. She couldn't be entirely sure if he was angry, or if he'd forgotten he was on the phone, becoming distracted by his company. "Jun! Say that you'll meet me tomorrow to talk, please." An exaggerated sigh and an audible pout told her he heard her that time.
"Fine, Kaoru, we can talk at lunch tomorrow. Just what's so important anyway? It's not like there's anything of importance happening in your life right now anyway. Unless it's me, of course." She felt the condescension rush across her, leaving her slightly chilled, but managed to swallow the venom on the tip of her tongue.
"Of course, Jun. You are the most important thing in my life, at the moment." She allowed the statement to settle before continuing. "But what I need to talk to you about is serious and really can't wait much longer. So please, I want you to be prepared to listen to me when we talk."
"Fine, fine, whatever you want. I have to go. I'll call you tomorrow to tell you when to come up to my office." The sudden silence told her he'd hung up. She supposed she should be grateful he at least remembered to do that much before resuming his "work." Dropping her phone onto the table she slid into a chair. She groaned as she let her head fall to the table. How did I get myself into this again? Oh, right. Money. Kaoru practically idolized her father, but his one fatal flaw was his inability to handle money; another reason why a couch that even a hobo would turn their noses at still resided in her living room. Shortly before her father's passing he came clean about how deep in debt the dojo had been the previous few months. Obviously upset, he could barely contain himself as he confessed and Kaoru didn't have the heart to be angry at the time. The day after his funeral Jun came to the house. At first it appeared he really did sympathize and simply wanted to offer condolences. By the end of his visit, however, Kaoru could barely hold down the bile rising in her throat as she realized just to whom their debt was owed.
A week later and Jun had called or visited every day. Each time he practically refused to talk about the debt and insisted Kaoru allow him to take her to dinner.
If only I'd just kept refusing. Maybe then—maybe he wouldn't have left…
Kenshin stared at the picture in his hand. Remnants of the rest of the page he'd torn it out of curved and poked around the edges of possibly his worst nightmare. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but it pissed him off to the point of almost crumpling the offending image in his hand and then promptly swallowing it so as never to see it again. But even he had limits, and wolfing down a piece of paper with the rest of first class looking on fell just outside those lines. Not wanting to remove his eyes for a second, wanting to burn the betrayal into his retinas, he grunted rather indelicately as the flight attendant offered him yet another glass of champagne.
"I'm sorry sir, I believe you misunderstood. The pilot has announced that we're landing soon and we're requesting everyone to put away their items and prepare for the landing." Kenshin finally glanced her way, only slightly embarrassed by his behavior. "Would you like for me to put your bag away for you sir?"
"I apologize, and no thank you. I can put it away myself." Really all he had to do was shove the bag back under the seat in front of him, but first class demanded slightly more elegance and class than a swift kick under someone else's seat. With nearly cat-like grace he managed to fit his carry-on into the overhead compartment, stuff the picture back into his pocket, and resume his seat, even buckling himself in, in a matter of moments.
I can't wait to get off this damned plane. I hate flying and Saitoh knows it. Which is probably why he forced me to travel this way in the first place. That damned dirty wolf. Feeling the urge to, once again, torture himself with the candid picture of Kaoru Kamiya sitting at a café table with Jun Tanaka, laughing heartily at something the snake must have said… No. I won't look at it again. Besides, if she's happy then that's a good thing. I made no promises to her and she made none to me so I really have no right to feel anything except grateful she found some happiness.
The muffled voice of the pilot floated through the cabin as he announced their descent and Kenshin reflexively shut his eyes and laid his head back against his seat. Flying felt a lot like torture: the beginning somewhat promising as you smoothly taxi down the runway, followed quickly by the first sparks of pain as you feel the nose turn up and the wheels lift away from the ground. The being in the air reminded him of the middle of a "session." You ease the victim into a false sense of security; flying through the air feels no different from a casual ride on the subway. But every now and then you send a jolt of two in reminder of the position they've found themselves. Landing was by far the worst part of the whole process in his opinion. The victim is on the brink of breaking, nearly begging to spill their own guts. However, they need to be pushed over that edge. Here comes the part where you introduce the pain that makes their stomachs drop to their feet and then lurch up into their throats. I will not vomit, I will not vomit, I will not vom—oh shit. Kenshin hurriedly brought the small plastic bag up to his mouth as he promptly lost the two glasses of champagne and the meager meal that passed as first class dining nowadays. Highly embarrassed and refusing to look anywhere other than his own shoes, he slowed his breathing and reached out to mentally caress the ground on which the plane now safely taxied.
He heard the tone signaling it safe to unbuckle and gather carry-on bags in order to be ready to exit quickly and efficiently. At least, it would be quick and efficient at the front of the plane. On the other side of the curtain at his back he could already make out the sounds of shoving and grumbling as the tightly packed passengers attempted to have their luggage in hand first. Still not looking away from his rather expensive pair of Italian leather loafers, he felt the flight attendant's presence again.
"Sir, allow me to throw that away for you, okay? Would you like a bottle of water to take with you?" Kenshin's pride said to hold onto the bag of weakness and throw it away himself when he found a suitable receptacle. However, he had a strong feeling of who waited just inside the gate and definitely could not be seen with the evidence. Reluctantly, and with much apology, he handed the attendant the bag and accepted the bottle of water in return. He couldn't look at her face for fear of seeing her recoil from something so awful. Once she walked away he took a few sips of the water, swishing it around to hopefully wash away any remaining odor. Straightening his back he retrieved his carry-on and walked stiffly to the exit. A terse nod at the attendant on the way out, he stepped off the torture device and onto solid ground. Well, solid metal covered in blue carpeting anyway. Finally, back on Earth. And soon I'll be home.
Kaoru paced from one side of her bedroom to other. The plush fabric of the rug already showed signs of a trench in the path of her feet. Her lips bled slightly from having been picked clean of any dead skin, and a little bit of the stuff still living. She barely registered the pain as she accidentally peeled her bottom lip to the quick. She'd started the anxious habit when she was just a child, but had been able to stop for the most part during her teens. Her father's death and Kenshin's disappearing act saw the return of the dreaded habit, but nothing Yahiko or Misao said or did could keep her from almost tearing her lips off her face. She caught herself one night at dinner with Jun and apologized for doing something so unbecoming in front of him. He barely glanced up from his phone to compliment the shade of her lipstick. Kaoru stared blankly at him for a moment trying to remember if she'd even put lipstick on today. Pressing her fingers to her lips she could feel the sticky wetness of blood and reflexively licked her lips, the metallic taste filling her mouth and putting her off the rest of her meal. The embarrassment then couldn't hold a candle to how she felt now, however.
On her small dressing table laid a tabloid, open to a page on which she featured. Or rather, Jun featured with her playing a small supporting role. The scene had been cropped to make it appear as though she was laughing at Jun, when in reality Misao sat just out of frame and it had been she who coaxed the frivolity out of Kaoru. She and Misao had already been at the café when Jun arrived without warning, settling himself into a chair at their table. Both Kaoru and Misao attempted to engage him in conversation, mainly to work out why he'd shown up in the first place, but he gave the stingiest of responses, choosing to pay more attention to his phone than them. After a few minutes Misao decided they should ignore him until he remembered it was he who crashed their lunch. Kaoru didn't want to insult him, but Misao made a comment about snakes and holes that caught her off guard enough to make her laugh. Jun looked up then, immediately assuming she laughed at him. That must have been when they snapped the photo. You can't really see Jun's expression in this, and it probably wouldn't have made it into the article if you could.
Kaoru stopped pacing and clenched her fists. She should have expected something like this to come up at some point. While most dojos did not garner such publicity, Jun's boasted celebrity clientele and therefore tended to show up in all the gossip rags. It didn't help matters that he, himself, could be considered attractive. Hell, if Kaoru didn't already know how much of a slimy snake he was she might have been attracted to him. However, as the situation currently stood, she was dating a man she held no affection or attraction for, who cheated on her on a regular basis, and who found his phone much more interesting than her company. In the beginning he'd been attentive and somewhat affectionate. If repeatedly trying to get into her pants counted as such. Although he had waited a year seemingly out of respect of her mourning her father before he started hounding her about officially dating. At least, to everyone on the outside is what it looked like.
The man owned almost all of the dojo's debt and she felt extremely awkward just allowing him to pay for her dinner occasionally, so the thought of becoming physical with him nearly caused panic attacks. It actually did cause a panic attack at one point and after that he, thankfully, backed off. Around that same time is when she first caught him cheating. Well, she supposed it was cheating even if they hadn't agreed exactly to be exclusive. A fact he almost gleefully threw in her face when she confronted him. A week later she told him not to call her anymore; she no longer wished to see him. She could still remember how his face contorted into something almost inhuman and the grating sound of his voice as he quoted the amount of money due him from the dojo, from her now that her father could no longer pay. Kaoru swore she saw his eyes empty of all feeling. She clutched her stomach as it flipped, sending a wave of nausea through her. She understood immediately. He expected either the debt to be paid in full, or for her to attach herself to him as repayment. She left that day completely defeated and couldn't remember the last time she felt genuinely happy.
What she had a difficult time wrapping her head around now was why a picture that had been taken several months ago would show up in a tabloid now. Photographers who took those sorts of shots tended to sell them quickly while a story stayed relevant to the readers. Why now? And damn it to hell, why the one where my mouth is hanging open like some kind of slack-jawed idiot?
A pleasant tinkling sort of sound emanated from Kaoru's back pocket. Steeling herself for the barrage awaiting her at the other end, she accepted the call but kept the phone away from her ear. Her instincts saved her eardrum, yet again, as Misao's louder-than-necessary questions came through the speaker. Finally sensing an opening, Kaoru spoke into the phone.
"Yeah, I know. I just saw it. Jun's receptionist was reading it when I got to his office for lunch." Kaoru winced as Misao launched into another series of questions and insults to all of snake-kind.
"I mean, I wouldn't be quite so pissed if they'd at least left me in the damn thing! You know Jun is behind this right? Who else would even care about a picture so old? He must be using it to gain something. Kaoru, did you talk to him at lunch today? You said you would."
"No, not exactly," Kaoru admitted, tensing at the response she knew she'd get.
"Kaoru Kamiya, you march your ass right back down there and tell the slimy snake that you won't be used anymore! This is borderline slavery and you know it!"
"More like indentured servitude really—" Kaoru tried to cut in.
"Oh no you don't! Do NOT try and lessen this. He's been treating you like shit practically from day one because he knows that you have no choice but to date him or end up bankrupt and living in a cardboard box on the street. Not that me or Grandfather would ever let you that is." Kaoru sighed half in defeat and half in relief. She could always count on Misao and her grandfather's kindness and generosity, but she didn't want to become a burden on them simply because she couldn't deal with her own family's problem.
"I did try to talk to him Misao. I told him about the money I have saved up that should be more than enough to pay down the debt somewhat and give me a head-start on monthly payments. But now, apparently, an enormous amount of interest has piled on top and he vaguely threatened to add in any expense he incurred while dating me. I still tried to give him at least a down payment but he refused to listen and then had his receptionist practically throw me out." She could hear the sound of a dozen keychains jangling on the other end and caught the tail end of Misao's grumbling.
"—show him an expense, stupid, slimy, scaly snake. Kaoru, get the essentials ready. I'll be there in half an hour." Kaoru smiled slightly, feeling a bit better knowing she had such strong support. She couldn't tell Yahiko the real reasons behind her seeing Jun and Misao was really the only person she felt close enough to tell anything. Slipping her phone back into her back pocket and tucking her bangs back behind her ear, Kaoru headed to the kitchen to gather the essentials: two bowls, two wine glasses, an ice cream scoop, and a cork screw. Soon I'll have a plan to give that snake the boot once and for all. Until then, Misao's ideas for punishment should be inspiration enough. Allowing a small giggle to escape her now sore and burning lips, Kaoru remembered to slather on some ointment before Misao could see the extent of the damage.
That awful day, Kenshin could barely look in Kaoru's direction much less tell her why he had to leave. The less she knew about the true nature of her father's death, the better. Really, Kenshin blamed himself for allowing the Kamiya patriarch to get tangled up in a world he didn't belong. The debt felt insurmountable, Kenshin understood that, and turning to other dojos for support made sense at the time. Who could have guessed that the one dojo that could help was run by demons? Well, low-ranked ones who shouldn't have been a problem, but I guess I should have known better than to judge by appearances. Kenshin ran a hand through his long bangs. He'd been meaning to get a trim…
"Himura. Are you even listening to me?" Kenshin made a noncommittal grunt in response. The flight—well, the landing—took a lot more out of him than he'd like to let on, but talking required mental awareness he didn't have at the moment. He could feel the aggravation rolling off Aoshi in waves. Pissing him of is merely a bonus. Although, I should probably re-check my luggage later; wouldn't want to end up with singed bangs.
Even though Aoshi ran the Research and Development of the company, Kenshin assumed Saitou directed him to be babysitter until they reached the hotel. Aoshi probably hates this as much as I do. But I doubt I can lose him before the hotel. The second he'd seen Kaoru's picture with him Kenshin had tried to leave Kyoto and start tearing limbs and slicing arteries. Fortunately, Saitou's wife, Tokio, had been at the office that day and managed to calm him down first. Once he could see through the haze of red, however, he began to feel the pain. A pin prick at first, blossoming into a fire engulfing his entire being. Once again Kaoru had managed to make him feel like the guiltiest man on any dimensional plane. Kenshin knew she'd never do it on purpose but the fact that only she could cause him this much pain spoke to how deep in his heart she resided. She can never know that though. I have no right to this anger or her.
The salt stung her tongue as she licked her way from his neck to his ear. She didn't care that they'd just spent hours in a hot dojo, soaking through their gi's from the exercise. All Kaoru wanted was him. A breathy moan slipped from her lips as he returned the favor by nipping and sucking at the base of her neck. Encouraged, Kenshin slid her gi off her shoulders to find more smooth skin to explore. She leaned back from where she sat on his lap. The look in his eyes left her breathless. He wanted her; wanted this. She watched his right brow quirk upwards and a question form between his eyes.
"Kaoru?" She felt heat rising in her cheeks and she couldn't help but stare at the mouth that made her name sound like honey dripping from the comb.
"Kenshin?" She hoped she didn't sound as naïve as she felt. Half-closing her eyes as he softly brushed her bangs behind her left ear, she sighed in complete contentment.
"Kaoru, you need to wake up now." Kaoru's lids became even heavier and she could only lightly grunt in response. She leaned into the warm and strong hand now cupping her cheek. "Kaoru, I'll see you soon, I promise. But you have to wake up now." At this her brows furrowed and the worry lines between them deepened.
"I don't understand. You're right here. And I'm already awake."
"You know you're not, Kaoru. Now hurry and wake up YOU STUPID UGLY OLD HAG TANUKI!" A sharp pain in her skull accompanied Kaoru's sudden rise. Wincing and rubbing the growing lump on her forehead, Kaoru slowly emerged from the fog.
"I told ya ugly! I told ya not to sleep in today! It's the opening ceremony for the dojo, stupid! Now I'm gonna look stupid too, standing up there with a goose egg on my head." Kaoru grimaced as she recalled the reason for sleeping late. Misao had shown up in a flurry of keychains and curses. Really Kaoru did everyone a favor by shoveling ice cream and pouring wine until the hyper weasel passed out. Unfortunately, Kaoru usually ended up in the same state.
"I'm sorry Yahiko. Wait, did Misao leave already?" The distinct lack of chainsaws revving alerted her to Misao's absence.
"Yeah. She left when I first started waking you up. You kept saying—well you were talking in your sleep. Anyway, the Weasel was scared you'd flip when you woke up so she bolted." Kaoru watched as Yahiko gingerly placed his cold water bottle to his head where she could already see a faint yellow and purple knot. He looked tired, exhausted really. He probably stayed up most of the night preparing for his speech today. And he's still up on time. He really is grown up now, I guess. "By the way, you missed like a dozen calls from the Slimy Snake. You might wanna at least text him back. I hate the guy and I'm glad he has to wait to hear from you for once, but I don't want him comin down to the dojo and makin a scene in front of the new students and their parents," Yahiko called behind him as he walked to the kitchen. Kaoru immediately grabbed for her phone and checked the messages. Holy shit, 12 missed calls and 30 freaking text messages. All from a guy who couldn't even carry on a five minute conversation before being distracted by the next set of triple D's that walked past. As she opened her messenger app she noticed that not all 30 messages were from him. One message in particular stood out:
See you at the opening ceremony –K
Oh shit.