I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters for that matter.
The flavor of tea
Chapter 1: A laundry nightmare
A sweet summer wind danced within a fiery red mane in the back of the Kamiya Dojo on one of the first sunny days that anyone had seen in quite a while. The young man who the mane belonged to paused and breathed in the delicate scent. The fragrance caused his thoughts to float away into a blissful daydream.
"Kaoru-dono you look most beautiful today" he stated while his cheeks flushed with color. He stared at the ground, afraid to make eye contact with her. It disappointed him to have to gaze at the cold dirt and not the radiant young woman that stood only a few feet from himself.
Her cheeks turned a deep shade of red as he complemented her. It felt as though all her senses were stopped but the world around her was twisting and turning, making her dizzy. His eyes slowly rose to meet her own but before she knew it her legs gave in and she was falling to the ground below her.
Everything was spinning, her mind couldn't function properly. Gasping for air she anticipated the fall but it never came. Two strong arms cradled her waist reassuring her body that they would not release. As she regained conciseness her eyes slowly fluttered open, only to see the man that she loved staring directly into her eyes. She thought she was in a trance, it must have been. Her heart began to speed up and her breathing got heavier. She could feel the warmth of his body up against hers.
He raised one of his hands placing it under her chin. As he lifted her face towards his, he wasn't thinking about anything at all. He inched his face closer, then tenderly pressed a soft kiss apon her lips. When he noticed there was no affection in return he began to pull away until a slender pair of arms wrapped around his neck pulling him back into the kiss.
She unwantingly broke the kiss for a breath of air that she had not had for what seemed like forever. He pouted at her; she smiled and nuzzled her head in the crease of his shoulder. He held her in his arms never wanting to let go.
"Kenshin..." she mumbled underneath the fabric of his gi.
"Hai my Kaoru?" he hummed in a serene tone.
"Kenshin! Kenshin! Kenshin are you alright?" He was startled by her change of tone and glanced down to see what was the matter, though when he lowered his head she was gone
"Kenshin! Kenshin snap out of it." He wasn't sure where he was but he could feel someone tugging on his gi. A fast jolt of cold liquid drenching his body quickly caused his eyelids to rip open examining his surroundings. His eyes landed on a woman with the empty washing bin in her hands staring at him in a confused manner. "Kenshin? Are you alright?"
He couldn't move, it was as if her words paralyzed his mussels. His eyes were stuck on her unable to turn away. She repositioned her legs frantically, uncomfortable by his glazed stare.
"Is there something on my face?" Touching her face she tried to tell if there was anything that might have been the cause of this awkward circumstance. She could not really tell exactly what was the target of his gaze.
Yahiko who was watching the entire scene from the side of the dojo laughed as Kenshin blankly stared at Kaoru who was obviously very uncomfortable. After a few more moments of laughter he decided to step in. 'Kenshin is probably just scared because she is so ugly!' He snickered once more then made his way over to break the silence.
"Hey! Kenshin what are you doing staring at an ugly girl?" Kaoru's attention whipped over to her annoying student, glaring daggers. Yahiko stuck out his tongue and Kaoru went in for the kill with her bokken. Swinging full force she aimed for the brats head but the wooden training sword was stopped in its tracks.
The both of them turned over to Kenshin who's hand held the tip of the bokken. Kaoru felt a chill flow over her body making her shiver. He had never stopped her from doing this before, so why now? Yahiko smirked getting up from his fetal position.
"Thanks Kenshin. Finally your on my side and not that ugly monster's side!" Before she could say anything or take any action, Yahiko sprinted to the dojo, hiding in his room where it was safe. Kenshin released the edge from his hand while Kaoru gave him a blank stare.
"Kaoru-dono I know that what Yahiko said was not polite but could we all get along just for one day and cease the fighting?" His voice was so sweet that it caught her off gaurd.
He gazed into her eyes with that smile that was a treasure to her. 'Kenshin is acting really weird today, something is wrong. I can feel it.' With a sigh she weakly smiled back at the rurouni.
"You're right Kenshin. I am going to be the mature on and not argue with little brats like Yahiko. Besides I can work him during training, he he he."
Kenshin rested his hand casually on her shoulder. "I am glad to see that you are realizing who you are going to be when you are older." With that Kenshin picked up the empty wash bin. "It seems that I still have some more laundry to do that it does. Arigatou Kaoru-dono." Bowing his head he began to walk away from her. Kaoru was confused. Why would he thank her?
"Kenshin wait!" He paused but didn't turn around. "Thank you for what?" Kenshin smiled inwardly because he knew she would not be entertained with the answer he was about to give her. Turning his head toward her, he grinned.
"For everything." One more smile was given then once again he headed off to finish his chores. Kaoru was left standing in the yard dumbfounded at what he had just said to her. 'What did he mean by that? Everything? And what about what he said earlier about me realizing who I am going to be when I am older? Sooner or later I am going to find out…'
Evening sky covered the dojo accompanied by the sound of two males chanting an obnoxious demand over and over. "Kenshin where is our food?" they both wined holding their stomachs in pain.
"Ugh I am so hungry! Damnit Kenshin what is taking you so long?" Sanosuke yelled in the direction of the kitchen.
Kenshin had heard the same saying for about twenty minutes but he was in no rush tonight. 'Sano and Yahiko have no patience when it comes to meals. Tonight I am making a special dinner and even though I hate to hear my friends in agony, they are just going to have to wait.' He continued to cook while laughing at the thought of the two ever going a day without a meal. Suddenly he remembered that Kaoru had gone to town to mail a letter, saying that she would be back in time for dinner. 'I hope that nothing happened to Kaoru-dono, she makes me worry. What am I saying? She is responsible enough to run a simple errand. You worry to much Kenshin.' Saying that put him at ease once again focusing on the food.
----Meanwhile in town----
"It is getting awfully late, I better be getting home." Kaoru walked through the crowd of people in the street. The town was busy that day because of the upcoming festival that they had every summer.
Kaoru always adored this particular festival on account of the beautiful display of fireworks in the evening. It reminded her of the times that she used to go with her father. 'We always had a wonderful time together. Watching the fireworks while I sat on his shoulders always made me feel big. I felt like I could touch the stars.'
Not paying attention to the road in front of her she was abruptly faced with a horse and carriage coming straight in her direction. Her muscles froze and she wasn't able to move.
Mysteriously enough instead of being in a head on collision course with a fast moving mode of transportation she was quickly snatched up by a strong pair of arms. Her eyes were still sealed shut until her feet gently touched firm ground. As she slowly opened her auburn eyes they clashed with a pair of deep blue ones. Her face changed from pale white to a rose red within seconds.
The man who stood before her gave her a warm smile. He stood about six feet with the body of a god. His raven black hair swayed in the evening wind commenting his light brown colored gi. The deep blue eyes stood out as if they were stars of another kind. Never had Kaoru ever seen anyone like this man in her existence. He was, gorgeous.
"Are you all right Miss?" he asked in a concerned manner. The harmonious voice that came out of his perfect lips was a song to her fragile ears. She thought that if she said anything she would choke on her idiotic words. "Miss?"
Taking her chances she quickly stuttered out a few words. "Y...Yes...I...am...?" He chuckled at her response making her blush even more.
"Oh! Excuse me for being so rude. I am Tomonori Itsuki" he laughed awkwardly. Still nothing could come out of her mouth. He gazed at her in confusion. "Are you sure that you are okey Miss...?"
"K... Kamiya...Kaoru..." is all she could blurt out.
"Well then Miss Kaoru is it possible if I walk you to your destination? I would not want you to be out in this dangerous town all by yourself. I would feel awful if anything should happen." He smiled and extended one of his hands. Kaoru swallowed hard as she almost regained her voice.
"Would...you like to come to my dojo for dinner Tomonori San...? It is the least I can do in return for you... well...saving my life." He nodded his head happily at her offer.
"I just arrived here about a day ago from the countryside and I was going to go to find a place to eat but a home cooked meal sounds much more pleasing to my stomach if that's of no inconvenience to you and your family?"
Kaoru waved her hands in front of her. "No, No I...we would be happy to have you for dinner"
"Great! Well then shall we go Miss Kaoru?" His excited voice made her giggle a little.
"Of course, follow me Tomonori san." Kaoru began to walk down the road with this beautiful man by her side. 'This should be very interesting' she said to herself snickering silently, 'I wonder what he will think of everyone...this is going to be very interesting.'
Kenshin had set all the platters out while practically fighting off Yahiko and Sano who were going to wither away any minute if they didn't fill their stomachs. "Calm down you two, I am sure that Kaoru-dono will be back anytime now." In the back of his head Kenshin thought it was strange that Kaoru would take this long. 'Now I am beginning to worry. Kaoru-dono where could you be?'
The sound of the gate opening was heard throughout the dojo. Kenshin could feel the footsteps from the outside hallway but something was different. 'She isn't alone...?' The soji slid open and Kaoru gracefully entered the room along with another man. Kenshin's attention automatically became fixed on the man who was with her. 'Who is this man that my Kaoru is with...? Did I just say "my" Kaoru...?' His thoughts were broken by the sound of her voice.
"Gomen ne Kenshin for my lateness." Her smile cut through him like a piece of glass.
"There is no need to apologize Kaoru-dono, it's quite all right. Who is your guest?" He kept his tone calm not wanting to seem awkward.
"Oh! Kenshin this is Tomonori Itsuki. Tomonori-San this is Himura Kenshin. Tomonori-San saved me from a speeding carriage in the town this evening. I thought that it was only proper if he could join us for dinner since he is new to this town."
Kenshin could not believe what he had just been informed of. At that moment he became overwhelmed with jealously, something that he had not felt for a long period of time. 'I let her go off by herself to run a harmless errand and what happens! Her life is in danger and I am not there to protect her but some man that doesn't even know her is! Look at how handsome he is too!' Taking a deep breath he pushed all of the emotions aside.
"Konba wa Tomonori-san. Arigatou for keeping Kaoru-dono out of harms way. You are welcome to have dinner with us anytime." Kenshin had to admit that he was a horrible liar but forced his feelings to cease in favor of Kaoru.
Sano and Yahiko came into the room still wining about their appetites. They stopped as soon as they saw Kaoru and Itsuki. "Hey Jou-chan finally you came back! We were starving and...hey who's the guy..?" Yahiko examined Itsuki carefully then looked as if he had come to a conclusion.
"I know! He is an undercover cop that arrested her for being so ugly!" Yahiko laughed then Kaoru shot him a nasty glare.
"Tomonori-San this is Sanosuke and Yahiko-CHAN." Yahiko stuck out his tongue out at her but she ignored him. Sano inched closer to Itsuki, grinned and forcefully shook his hand.
"Sagara Sonosuke, excellent fighter but even better gambler." Itsuki shook back griping Sano's hand just as firm. "Wow you have a strong grip. I like you Tomonori, you wouldn't happen to be an ex gang member by any chance would you?" Itsuki laughed at this.
"Unfortunately no Sagara-San but I have been known to gamble once or twice." Sano grinned big, thinking of what this could mean for him and his losing streak.
Kenshin watched from the sidelines as Itsuki nonchalantly soaked up the spot light. It was not the fact that he was getting all the attention but the fact that he did not have to do anything to get it. It was eating Kenshin up faster as the time went by. How long could forgo this upsetting situation?
After a few more minutes of small talk between the others they took their places around the food. As Sano and Yahiko quickly devoured their food Itsuki and Kaoru talked about the dojo.
"When my father died, I knew that it would be my job to keep my family's martial arts technique going. It's a lot of work but most of the time it is very enjoyable."
"You are a very responsible woman Miss Kaoru. I am honored to have met you under the circumstances that occurred in the town." Itsuki smiled while he enjoyed a hot bowl of miso soup.
Kenshin sipped his tea in silence. He hadn't touched or looked at any of the delicious items that he had cooked. Eating would only cause him to feel sick. 'You are a very responsible woman Miss Kaoru. Could he be any more obvious? This man is certainly just putting on an act so that innocent Kaoru-dono will come to trust him...and then when she does...who knows what will happen. Nothing! That's what is going to happen because I am not going to let him touch my Kaoru!... and there I go again with the "my" statements.'
Sano glanced over at Kenshin a noticed that he hadn't eaten anything that was on the plate in front of him. Carefully Sano leaned over grabbing one of the dumplings.
"Go ahead Sano, eat whatever you would like. I am not hungry." Sano shrugged his shoulders then piled Kenshin's portion on top of his own. He knew that something was up but he wasn't going to press into Kenshin's personal affairs.
"I must say Himura San that this is the best meal I have had in a while."
Kenshin raised his head to meet his eyes. "I am happy that you enjoyed it so much Tomonori San. It is always good to hear when someone likes your cooking that it is." His stare didn't leave Itsuki until a few moments after his comment.
Yahiko consumed the last few rice cakes then patted his stomach in satisfaction. "That was great Kenshin. I don't think I am going to be able to eat until next week! Well I think I am going to get some sleep. See you all in the morning..let's hope I don't wake up to something ugly though he he he" he grinned but made his way out of the room so quickly that Kaoru had no time to set him straight.
"Yeah well I think that it is time I went into town too. I am feeling pretty lucky tonight! I mean I just ate a bountiful meal what could go wrong?" Sano got up from his place and walked to the soji. "Later Kenshin, Jou-chan. And hey Tomonori San! Look me up sometime if you ever want to make a little bet." Popping a fish bone into his mouth Sano left while whistling a miscellaneous tune.
Kaoru began to gather all of the silverware and dishes but a hand on top of her own halted her. "Kaoru-dono let me collect the dishes. I am sure that you are exhausted from what happened this evening. Please do not strain yourself."
She shook her head at his command. "Kenshin you made this wonderful meal for all of us, there is no need for you to be the one cleaning up. Don't worry about me, I am fine." Again her smile shattered him into pieces. Never was he able to fight with such an amazing facial expression that was so simple and yet sent thousands of messages through his head.
"I should be the one helping with the clean up" Itsuki said cheerfully while attempting to collect some of the plates.
"No Tomonori San you do not have to help. Having you over tonight was me thanking you which means that you do not have to do anything in return."
He sighed after her explanation because he did not understand. "Miss Kaoru you are really too nice." Itsuki took his seat when she left the room to go to the kitchen. Itsuki and Kenshin sat in a room of silence with the exception of the sipping of Kenshin's tea.
Itsuki's eyes wandered on the samurai, which caused Kenshin to look up from his teacup. "Tell me Himura San, why does Miss Kaoru not have her engagement ring on?" Gagging a little Kenshin choked on the scolding tea.
"Tomonori San, Kaoru-dono and I are not to be wed. I live in her dojo because she is a very kind woman who lets me stay here in exchange for doing chores." He tried to not sound uncomfortable about the question.
Itsuki's eyes widened at this. "That is quite a unbelievable thing. Someone of Miss Kaoru's beauty and compassion should already be married to a man or at least have many men chasing after her. I know I would..." he avoided eye contact after that statement. "A young woman having a man in her home only seems correct if there where in some sort of relationship...?"
Both of them heard Kaoru's footsteps as she reentered the room. The two men looked over to where she was at the door. "All done" she replied with a triumphant smile. Itsuki stretched his slender arms and stood up from his place across from the rurouni.
"It is getting awfully late. I am very grateful for the hospitality that you both have shown me, especially you Miss Kaoru. I will say it again I am glad that we encountered each other today...truly an act of fate don't you think?" She turned red when he gazed into her eyes. "Maybe you would also be kind enough show me the rest of the town sometime, I would be honored. Thank you again Himura San for the wonderful dinner."
Smiling at Kenshin he turned around to face Kaoru who was blushing profusely. One of his hands reached out for hers and his lips met the skin on her backhand. "Until next time Miss Kaoru."