FYI: Apparently, Kawakami Gensai, the historical figure that Kenshin was modeled on, hid out at a brothel after an assassination and was said to look so feminine that he could pass for one of the girls. (According to TV Tropes, that is.)
Also, this is written solely for entertainment, meaning be prepared for possible OOC-ness, especially from Kaoru (who isn't that impatient)
Tell Me A Story
"Kenshin!" Kaoru called. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to go fishing, that I am," Kenshin replied serenely.
"Wait!" Moments later, Kaoru came rushing out of the dojo. "I want to come!"
Kenshin looked at her, surprised. "You do?"
"Of course!" Kaoru folded her arms. "I've never seen you fish! I'm sure it's very exciting!" She paused, half-smiling at a mental image of Kenshin wrestling down an enormous silver fish. "Besides, Yahiko is starting to wear on my nerves. He's so immature."
"Am not!" Yahiko's indignant voice came from within the dojo.
"Are too!" Kaoru returned in his general direction. "He won't stop calling me ugly!"
"Ugly, ugly, ugly!" Yahiko taunted, and Kaoru's face became stormy. As he continued, she began to roll up her sleeves menacingly. "Why would I want to take lessons from such an ugly girl? Hah! I'd rather—"
Kaoru started towards him, but a gentle hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Uh, Kaoru, I think we'd best get going!" Kenshin said, hoping to avoid a conflict between the two.
"Right." Kaoru marched away from the dojo. "I won't let silly old Yahiko bother me!"
Kenshin watched as she strutted away before finally blurting, "You do know that the lake is…uh, actually in the opposite direction?"
"You IDIOT, why didn't you tell me?"
"Oro?" Kenshin blinked. "I just did."
It was only once Kaoru had plopped herself down next to Kenshin, drummed her fingers on the vibrant grass, counted the clouds, and stared out across the calm blue waters that she realized that fishing was boring. Of course, she waited, patiently by her standards, for some fish to take the bait. No such luck. Where was the giant squid? What about the shark that would suddenly rear out of the water and attempt to eat her (of course, Kenshin would rescue her just in time) or even a couple of jellyfish? Eels? Schools of rainbow fish?
At this point, Kaoru would have done anything to see even one fish.
Kenshin seemed satisfied enough to just sit there, a contented smile on his face, lightly holding the fishing rod as if catching a fish couldn't be less irrelevant. Kaoru suppressed the restless feeling building within her. Kenshin was laid-back, she knew, but how could he sit still for so long? It had been at least an hour since they had arrived.
"Miss Kaoru," Kenshin said, his voice easygoing as he watched shallow waves ripple across the silvery water, "It's been fifteen minutes, I see. Would you like to return to the dojo? Don't worry, I'm sure I'll catch some fish for dinner tonight."
He thinks I can't even wait for longer than fifteen minutes! Kaoru thought, with a flare of indignation. Possessed by an urge to prove him wrong, Kaoru forced herself to calm down and let a deep breath out. How could she pass the time? She couldn't sit here and do nothing, of course. There was no way.
Suddenly, inspiration struck.
"Kenshin, tell me a story."
"What kind of story?" He asked, as if her request was the most natural thing in the world.
"An interesting story," she answered brightly. After a moment of thought, she added, "And I want it to be a true story. About you."
For a moment, she feared that he would graciously decline, but instead he remained motionless, his tranquil gaze never leaving the waters. "I would have thought you'd have seen your fair share of entertaining moments involving me by now, Miss Kaoru."
"Kenshin," Kaoru sighed wistfully. Later, she would realize that his name was quickly becoming the most-used word in her vocabulary.
"Yes, Miss Kaoru?"
"Can't you please tell me a story?" She asked, her voice betraying impatience.
Kenshin, evidently thinking, gave no reply.
'But I have to be entertained!' she wanted to say. Instead, she heaved a sigh. He was right; she should return to the dojo. Obviously, she wasn't meant for boring activities such as fishing. No giant squid or shark attacks? Not even a single fish? Well, Kaoru wasn't going to be a part of it.
"There was that one time I hid at a brothel after an assassination and managed to sneak by the police disguised as a lady," Kenshin offered, sensing her disappointment. "I doubt that qualifies as funny or overly interesting, though. Would you still like to hear—?"
"Yes, yes!" Kaoru exclaimed. Any story would do. And this one seemed to be rather intriguing. "Wait. You actually disguised yourself as a woman to escape? When was this again?"
"I don't know if this is a good story to tell—" Kenshin began, but Kaoru quickly interrupted him once more.
"Of course it's a good story!" She laid down in the grass, arms folded behind her head, smiling sweetly at the sky. "I can't say I'd ever imagine you doing such a thing, though."
"I was quite different at the time…"
