So Close
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Duh.
Summary: Kaoru has grown up selfish and conceited. To settle a debt, Kaoru's father gives her to Kenshin as his maid. Can Kenshin teach her what's really important in life before its too late?
Prologue
"Daddy, who is that?" four-year-old Kaoru asked, staring at an older red-headed boy. He had his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans and he was currently glaring down at the ground.
Koshijirou Kamiya stood next to his daughter holding her hand. At her question, he looked down at her seriously and crouched next to her so that they were eye-level.
"Little One," he gently said, "that is Kenshin Himura. He is nine-years-old and will be staying with us from now on." Kamiya paused and searched Kaoru's face for her reaction.
Kaoru tilted her head and looked at her Daddy then looked over at Kenshin. He was still glaring at the ground. Kaoru smiled softly while staring at Kenshin then turned to her father and gave him a sweet grin, "Okay, Daddy!"
With that, Kaoru ran over to Kenshin and dropped lower to peer at his face so he was glaring at her instead of the ground. "Ne, Kenshin. You'll burn a hole in the ground if you keep staring at it like that. My name is Kaoru. Let's go play!"
At that, Kaoru grabbed Kenshin's hand and started dragging him towards the garden. Kamiya watched in amusement as Kenshin stared in shock at their joined hands but still allowing himself to be led around by a four-year-old.
For his part, Kenshin didn't say anything. He simply stood there as Kaoru introduced him to her stuffed animal friends. He followed her around wherever she led him and he listened as she explained which room was for what and which things not to touch. Kaoru's hand never left his for long and Kenshin never said a word.
RurouniKenshin
"Daddy, why doesn't Kenshin hardly talk?" five-year old Kaoru asked her father one evening as he was tucking her into bed. Kamiya gave a tired sigh and tried to explain to his daughter again.
"Little One, Kenshin has been through a lot and it makes him not want to talk." Kaoru still didn't understand.
"Like losing his Mommy, Daddy, and sisters?" she asked.
Kamiya nodded. "Exactly, things like that are hard to deal with especially for young people like you and Kenshin. Right now, he doesn't feel like talking much but that doesn't mean that he'll be like that for always."
"But Kenshin doesn't remember much from before he came here. Why is he still not talking?"
"Even though he doesn't remember exactly what happened, he knows he lost people who loved him. It makes him feel sad."
Kaoru nodded then her face lit up. "Daddy, I know! Why don't you fix him? You can fix anything! When I'm sad or in a bad mood, you always fix it so fix Kenshin too!"
Kamiya shook his head and smiled sadly, "Kaoru, I'm afraid it isn't that simple. This is something that can't be easily fixed like that. All we can do is be here for Kenshin and let him know he is not alone." At her crestfallen look, Kamiya added, "I think that you're doing a wonderful job being Kenshin's friend. He's lucky to have you around."
Kaoru smiled happily. Kamiya whispered goodnight to his baby, kissed her forehead, and let her go to sleep.
RurouniKenshin
"Daddy, did you know that I love Kenshin?" six-year-old Kaoru asked her father one day while they were riding their horses around their estate.
Kamiya raised an eyebrow and glanced at his daughter, sitting so calmly on her pony. "Of course I do, Kaoru, I know that you love me as well."
Kaoru giggled delightfully. Her girlish laughter bringing a smile to Kamiya's face. "I mean love love Daddy! I want to marry Kenshin and live happily ever after just like the Giselle and Robert in that movie."
At this, Kamiya gave a start. "Wait what? Marriage? You're only six!"
Kaoru giggled again. "I KNOW Daddy. When we get older. We're way too young now. I mean, don't you have to be grown up to get married?"
Kamiya was speechless. Was he really having this conversation with his daughter? His SIX-year old daughter? "Kaoru," he reasoned, "how do you know you even love him that way?"
Kaoru gave him a soft, serene smile that was much mature than what a little girl her age should have. "Daddy," she said softly, "you just know."
"And how does Kenshin feel about you?"
At that question, Kaoru's face fell. "I don't know. Sometimes I think he does but then sometimes I think he doesn't."
Kamiya stared at his daughter then brought his horse closer to hers and pulled her up into his lap. His little girl was too young to be thinking these thoughts yet he wasn't surprised. Kaoru was just like her mother. She was around this age when she told Kamiya that one day, they would be married. Kamiya tried to escape his fate but fate has a way of finding you again. Kamiya hoped that Kenshin would just give in to Kaoru and accept her love because it would be easier that way for everyone. If Kaoru was exactly like her mother, which Kamiya suspected she was, then whoever she fell in love with was the one meant for her. Simple as that yet oh so complicated as well.
Kamiya gave a heavy sigh and prayed to the Gods that Kaoru wouldn't get hurt. He wanted to interfere and promise Kaoru that everything would be alright because he would make it that way but Kamiya had promised his wife that he would not interfere with Kaoru's love life once she fell in love. He just didn't think it would when she was six! Kamiya also prayed that Kaoru's road to love and happiness would be straight and safe and that she would have lots of time together with her love. Time was a luxury that many people took for granted. If only Kamiya had more time with his wife….but no, no regrets. They had their love and he knew that his wife was waiting for him at the end of his life to take him over the bridge into the afterlife.
Kamiya shook his head as if to clear the thoughts of his wife from his mind. Kaoru was in front of him now and it was Kaoru that needed him. If Kaoru loved Kenshin, then Kenshin was worthy.
"Kaoru, in this life, there are precious few things worth fighting for. Love is one of them among family, happiness, and honor. Yet, love is so elusive. It is like a butterfly flying gently in the breeze. You can chase it and try to catch it yet never do. But, when you stop to rest, it might come upon you. What I'm trying to say is that love is strong, fragile, elusive, powerful, surprising and even hurtful. It's a mystery yet so easy to understand. Its something that people search for and try to figure out but never do so don't be distressed about it if it becomes confusing."
Kamiya frowned. This was not coming out the way he was intending it to. His daughter understood though.
"Don't worry, Daddy, I understand. Love is complicated but its worth it."
Kamiya laughed. "Yeah."
RurouniKenshin
Twelve-year-old Kenshin made his way to the grove of sakura trees at the edge of school grounds. In his hand was a note summoning him to this area after school. Kenshin gave a cursory glance to his watch. If whoever wrote him the note didn't show up soon, then he would be late from picking up Kaoru from her elementary school next door and then the little monster would never leave him alone. Kenshin frowned as he pictured Kaoru's bright blue eyes snapping at him while she lectured him on the merits of being on time. Even if he gave her his best you-are-annoying-me glare, she never backed down from him. He grudgingly respected her for that. His classmates and teachers all backed away from him when he gave them the look but never Kaoru. He didn't know if he should admire her or be exasperated. Kenshin would never admit it to anyone but he had a soft spot in his heart for little Kaoru. She treated him like a regular person. Not some fragile child that was lost without his family. Kaoru made sure that he was comfortable and never alone and though he'd never tell her, he enjoyed listening to her ramblings about her day and whatever fancy lived in her head at that moment.
Kenshin heard a twig snap and turned towards the sound. A girl stepped from behind one of the trees. He recognized her as Megumi Takani, one of the girls in his class. She was one of those girls who looked nice and sweet on the outside but was vicious and vindictive in the inside. More than once, Kenshin overheard her saying awful things about other people in his class just because she wanted to. Megumi Takani was plain mean and there was no if, ands, or buts about it.
Megumi smiled sweetly at Kenshin. "I bet you're wondering why I asked for you to meet me here," she said. A soft blush adorned her face but was quickly wiped away with a look of determination. "I like you, Kenshin, and I want you to be my boyfriend," she declared.
Kenshin blinked his eyes. He was totally not expecting this. He was not easily surprised but Megumi Takani had managed to do just that.
Megumi tapped her foot impatiently, "Well?" she demanded. "What do you say? I like you, which is an honor, I might add. "
Kenshin shook his head, "Why me?" he asked softly.
Megumi laughed incredulously. "Because you are the hottest guy in our class. You're so silent and mysterious and so cool. All the girls want to be with you but I'll be the one who has you."
Kenshin continued in his soft mature voice that belied his young age, "I'm sorry, Megumi, but I cannot return your feelings. I'm not ready for a relationship at this time-" He was cut off by Megumi's cry of outrage.
"What?!" screeched Megumi. Her eyes narrowed into slits. "Is there someone else? Or can it be that someone like YOU is actually turning down someone like ME?" Megumi began stalking towards Kenshin who, with a wary look in his eye, started backing away.
"Do you know who I am?" Megumi asked in a dangerously low voice. "I am Megumi Takani, daughter of one of the richest people in Tokyo. How dare you refuse me. Someone like you, who was born to nothing should not even think twice about bowing to my wishes."
Kenshin stopped backing away and held his ground. He said firmly, "I already told you I don't want a relationship, Megumi. Why would you force me to be with you?"
"Because that is what I want!" Megumi cried, throwing her hands up in the air. "I don't think you fully understand what's going on here, Kenshin, and I don't think you understand your place. You are surrounded by rich, influential people and it is your job to do whatever we say. Do you think I don't know about your past?" she sneered. "You come from a poor family with NOTHING! The only reason you are able to attend this school and mingle among the elite is because some rich guy took pity on you when your family died. Like finding a hurt dog on the street." Megumi continued taunting Kenshin.
"I've seen the way you hang around that little girl you live with. She's so cute and so innocent. Do you even realize the damage you're doing to her reputation by just living with her? It doesn't matter that her family accepted you in, you are still the scum of the earth and not befitting to walk amongst us."
An evil smile flitted over Megumi's countenance. "Still don't believe me? Why don't you ask your guardian how your family really died. Ask him to tell you how they begged for your pitiful life and how you were supposed to die with them except you were a coward and ran away." Megumi took in Kenshin's pale face and stiff body and looked him up and down in disgust. "I could have ensured you a spot amongst us but yet you refuse me. I guess it shows that once an commoner, always a commoner."
With that, Megumi turned and flounced away. Not realizing nor caring the impact her words had on an innocent boy.
RurouniKenshin
The last of Kaoru's classmates left the courtyard leaving Kaoru alone save for a few leaves drifting across the path. Kenshin was late.
"Mou, I wonder where he is?" Kaoru thought worriedly. "It's not like him to be late. I'll wait 5 more minutes before calling home"
Just as Kaoru was about to turn back into the school to call home, she saw Kenshin walk in through the front school gates. Kaoru smile happily and skipped over to Kenshin.
"Hi Kenshin! How come you're late? That's not like you? Did you have to stay after school? Ooh, did you get in trouble? Papa, won't like that. Or maybe you forgot about me!" Kaoru teased..
Kaoru seized her ramblings when she noticed that Kenshin wasn't listening to her. He was staring blankly ahead as they walked home. This started to worry Kaoru because she could always make Kenshin smile. Something was bothering him and she was going to find out.
Kenshin was startled out of his daze when he felt a little hand gently grab his. He looked down and saw Kaoru looking imploringly at him. "Ne, Kenshin. Are you okay?"
Kenshin mentally shook himself. Kaoru didn't do anything. She shouldn't have to worry about him. He smiled gently at her. "Yup, everything's fine. I was just thinking about some extra hard homework I have to do tonight."
Kaoru gave a small sigh of relief. "Okay, Kenshin. I was worried it was something bigger." Kenshin noticed she hadn't released her hand from his yet so he tried to pull his hand away but Kaoru's hand only gripped his tighter.
"Ne, Kenshin." Kaoru began shyly then paused.
"Yes Kaoru?" Kenshin smiled to himself and wondered what Kaoru had to say. It wasn't like her to be shy.
"I just wanted to let you know that I love you, "she said. At her words Kenshin had stopped walking and was now staring at Kaoru with huge eyes. "I know you probably think I'm too young and that I don't know what I'm talking about but I do. I love you Kenshin Himura and one day when we're both grown up and you're ready to accept my love, I would like to prove it to you."
In Kenshin's mind, Kaoru and Megumi's words intermingled within his mind until he couldn't tell which words came from whom. Kaoru's sweet words and Megumi's harsh words jumbled in Kenshin's mind and made him crazed.
"You love me?" he snarled at Kaoru, "You hardly know me. Tell me why would I want to be with a spoilt brat like you who cares of no one but herself. We come from two separate worlds. How could someone like me be with someone like you. We don't belong together now or in the future or whenever we grow up. Don't hold any delusions that you mean something to me because you don't."
With that, Kenshin left Kaoru standing there with tears running down her face as he stalked to their estate to find Kamiya and demand answers for questions he had never asked before.
Before long, he heard running steps behind him and suddenly Kaoru was standing in front of him, her chest heaving from running to catch up with him and her face flushed from her tears.
"Kenshin stop! What are you talking about?!" Kaoru's eyes were flashing angrily. "Did I DO something to you? If you don't love me back, then just say so. Don't act all crazy and run away."
"You were supposed to die with them except you were a coward and ran away." Megumi's words rang through Kenshin's mind. He was so confused. First Megumi and now Kaoru. He needed to be alone to think, he didn't want to say anything until he could figure out what was going on so he shut down his mind and let his words take over and protect him.
"Fine, I don't love you Kaoru. How could you even think that I would love or even like an annoying child like yourself. I put up with you because you are the daughter of my guardian but don't think that we're anything more than that. We're not even friends."
Kenshin began stalking towards Kaoru, his countenance growing darker with each step. "If I wanted a friend, don't you think I would find one my own age? If I wanted someone to love, don't you think again, I would find someone my own age? You are exactly what I first thought of you. A spoilt brat, who thinks of no one but themselves because if you even gave a thought to MY feelings, then you would realize that I could never ever love you."
To Kaoru's credit, she held her chin up proudly and her eyes never betrayed her breaking heart. She may be only seven-years-old but the maturity within her body exceeded her age.
"It seems that I was wrong about you Kenshin," she murmured. "I shan't be bothering you again. Good-bye." Kaoru turned away from him and gracefully
finished the walk to their estate. They were, in fact, only in front of the gates by this point.
Kenshin watched her walk away and felt something alien within his chest. Was this pain? Was this guilt? He quickly squashed the feeling and followed Kaoru in through the gates to find Kamiya. Kenshin wanted answers to questions he had never dreamt of asking before.
TO BE CONTINUED….