AN: Next chapter, Yes already. I doubt it will become a habit though. Standard disclaimers apply, that of which you already know.
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"We've got to get her back. There's no knowing what kind of danger she'll face! What if she's hurt? What if someone kidnapped her? Kami-sama knows I can't live with myself should that be the case." Kenshin ranted, reasoning with the Gumi why they should find Kaoru.
"Why does he care now? It was his fault anyway…" Yahiko mumbled, sweeping the last traces of the party away. Concentrating on the back and forth motion of the broom, he allowed his mind to wander. It had only been a few hours since the letter was found, and it seemed time would go no quicker. Seven days would not come as soon as he hoped. He sighed, why would she do something like this?
Of course he knew why… and she had practically told them in the letter too. But why? She knew I suppose that we'd be able to take care of ourselves, the Akabeko always offering food. To me anyway… he thought, sliding his glance over to Sano.
It was this time last week he was thinking about the couples of Edo. He was certain Sano and the foxy doctor would get together, after all, it was well known that Megumi only teased Kaoru and never really meant the things she said to Kenshin. But where did marriage suddenly come up? His thoughts continued, as he stopped his sweeping to openly stare at Kenshin, whom had taken to pacing back and forth just like his broom.
It was perfect,
Yahiko thought, Kaoru would be my okaa-san.. She and I agreed on it. And I would have loved to have Kenshin as an otou-san. And Sano…ha… I'd never admit it, but Sano-nii-chan is an amusing name for him. But where did it go wrong?He stopped staring at Kenshin, to look down at the floor and frown. Where? Realizing that no one had answered Kenshin, he put away the broom, and took a moment to survey what was left of the "family".
Sano was outside, leaning against the house, his "Aku" jacket within hand's reach. Kenshin, was still pacing. Megumi just kept staring blankly at the wall. This was pathetic.
"Alright! You people have got some explaining to do. You," he pointed at Kenshin, "Should be happy since you're getting married. Why are you still in here again? And you," He switched over to Megumi, "Should be ecstatic because you're marrying your dear Ken-san!" Sarcasm laced his voice. Finally, "You! You know Kaoru wouldn't want you sulking about her absence. She'd probably wonder why you weren't out gambling and such."
He rest his hands onto his hips, looking everything like Kaoru did when she took charge. "What the hell is going on?!"
Kenshin was the first to speak, "We need to find Kaoru-dono." He said bluntly, hoping that was enough for Yahiko. Sano snorted from where he sat, apparently he understood that it would be his hide on the line if he disobeyed what Kaoru said. Megumi just nodded once, and continued to stare at the wall.
"You know what? How much do you really know about Kaoru?" He announced to the quiet room, and everything stilled.
"I know plenty," Kenshin replied.
"Enough." Sano said.
"…" Megumi decided not to answer.
"You know what? You all were oblivious to her feelings. Even myself. She left last night right after you announced it, and did anyone bother to get her? No. We celebrated so long, we didn't even see her leave! But you guys don't fully understand why she left do you?" Yahiko questioned, his voice louder and more calm than anyone should be at the moment.
When no one answered, just as he expected, he sighed and plopped down, causing Kenshin to do the same, and for Megumi and Sanosuke to pay more attention.
"You used to make fun of her, of how much she loved Kenshin. Of how much she let Sano free load, how much she wasn't a woman. Who has seen her cry when she was put down?" No one commented. "I have. She had dreamed of Kenshin proposing to her, not to mention the Tanabata fiasco not too long ago. But what do you know? He goes to Megumi. Why? So, she left. Maybe to find that answer herself, when all of you, every single one of you, encouraged her relationship with him, only to be the ones to bring her down."
It wasn't as nicely planned as the speech in his head, but by the continuing silence, he was pretty sure they were processing that information.
"I didn't know that…"
"She should have told me…"
"But would you have listened?" Sano spoke up, staring at the "couple". "You," he jerked his chin in Megumi's direction, "Have done nothing but brought her down in front of her peers. I've no doubt you two were close to an extent, but betrayal like that? And Kenshin, for you to announce something like that in her own home? After she took you in? And fell in love with you?" Sano shook his head in disgust, not knowing what had gotten into all of them.
"It's all wrong. Megumi doesn't belong with Kenshin, because we all know she doesn't love him. Attraction maybe, but no love. Kenshin, I have no clue. I'd think he wouldn't propose. I'd even go so far to say he didn't have the balls," Kenshin coughed loudly here, "To do so. So, why don't you tell us what you two were planning?" Sano asked, knowing that somehow, somewhere there was a set up in that engagement.
---
"Home sweet home! Ah, can you smell that Kaoru? Omasu is cooking something for your arrival, and I bet you it's ten times better than it smells! Of course nothing Omasu and Okan cooks smells bad… You know what I mean!" Misao grinned and turned to Kaoru who was awe struck at how much the girl can talk. "Sorry about that Kao-chan, I'm just glad you decided to take me up on my offer!"
Kaoru returned the grin. "I'm glad you offered, if you hadn't I may have become a Rurouni myself!" The girls shared a laugh. "Ah, but Misao?"
"Yup?"
"Where do I put my things?" Misao smacked her forehead, completely forgetting.
"Gomen! I forgot! Come, come. Follow me!" Kaoru didn't need to be told as Misao dragged her, along with her luggage, upstairs and into one of the empty rooms. "Okay, I will be right next door," She motioned to her left, "And since you're the closest to the stairs, you get to worry about intruders!" Kaoru made a face. "Joking only! Okay, I'll leave you to get settled in. Holler if you need anything." Misao bounded down the stairs, and Kaoru stared at the whirlwind of energy.
"I'm sure staying here will be interesting." Turning around, she pulled her stuff inside, and began to unpack.
The room itself was simple, a desk off to the side, a painting of a flower on the right side wall, and a futon settled in the middle of the room. It was more spacious than her room back at the dojo, but it was welcomed.
First,
Kaoru thought once she was done, Is to eat! Man, am I starved!But she knew, deep in her heart it was an excuse to not think of the reason she left, and what they were thinking now that she'd done it. Grabbing her bokken, she exited her room.
On her way downstairs, Kaoru began to hum. It wasn't the most pleasant of songs, and truth be told it was downright depressing. But Kaoru had learned, she could express herself with her sword, or with her voice.
She won't lie, she thought her singing voice was atrocious! But, if by herself, who was to deny her the comfort of singing?
Tatoeba dokomade modorebaii? Oshiete
Subete wa Itami wo tomonauhodo azayaka
Hontou wa Wakeaerumono nantenaikara furikaeranakatta
Hontou wa Wakeaerumono nantenaikara furikaeranakatta
fall into a light sleep Watashi ni michiru
I don't carry out yakusoku wa yagate
Itsukano Kagayaki suteta
Kaerenai asa no hikari noyou
Tsumetai kokoro no soba ni iruyo Kogoete
Tsuzuki wa kobamenaikurai hora asahaka
Kitsukazu ni kaketa kanjou hiroi atsumete Yurushi wo motometara
fall into a light sleep Hitori no yoru ni
I'm beginning to learn kanashimi no shikumi
Anata no Nukumori kakushi
Afuredeta sonoyami ni obieru
fall into a light sleep Watashi ni michiru
I don't carry out yakusoku wa yagate
Itsukano Kagayaki suteta
Kaerenai asa no hikari noyou
She sighed, rounding the corner and finishing her song. Ehh… Matte, Kaoru. Slow down and think about it thoroughly. You left your home to train, to become stronger. And to learn to cope with what you will if you decide to go back. Sighing like this won't help! What happened, happened. And when the going gets tough, you come up behind it and smack it with a bokken! So stop playing the "rejected little girl" part, and learn that there are better things in life. Kaoru nodded to herself, I will make it!
She jumped and cheered, causing all commotion in the kitchen to come to a stop. "Eh heh heh… Gomen nasai." Kaoru bowed, and with a few strange looks, everyone went back to their previous task.
"Ah… Omasu-san?" Kaoru asked, hoping not to disturb the woman.
"Hai Kaoru-san?" She turned and nodded, putting down the cleaver she was using.
"May I have a small snack? Before I go out to train?" Kaoru wondered, suddenly feeling shy, even if she knew the woman before her.
"Of course, would you like a vegetable? Gomen, I can't offer more, we're making dinner." She said, and motioned over to some random things.
"It's alright! Perfectly fine with me." Kaoru decided on a carrot and smiled her thanks.
Munching on the carrot with one hand, and twirling her bokken with the other, she began to drift back to her previous thoughts.
Who am I kidding? It won't be as easy as whacking Yahiko. There isn't even a guarantee that I'll make it through this. Who knows if I'll ever be able to smile at Kenshin, and see him only as a friend? I might not even grow to accept that. What if I can't look at him without wanting something more? They did say Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder. But…
she chewed thoughtfully, if Kami-sama brought me to this, I have to believe he'll bring me through it. Right?Finishing off her carrot, she tugged the sleeves of her gi higher on her arms. I mustn't think of this now. Holding the bokken steady, she marched into the dojo of the Aoiya, intending to get some practice done before it was time to eat.
---
"There is no other motive Sano. It was a mutual feeling between Megumi-dono and I. We both wanted someone to take care of us, and we felt that both of us could support each other." Kenshin explained, hoping to appease his friend's anger.
But Sano was not to be deterred. That's the lamest bullshit he has ever said. Sano stared hard at the rurouni, looking for an ounce of truth in what he just said. However, all he got was a blank smile.
"I don't believe you. Not a bit. You aren't stupid enough to ignore Jou-chan's obvious feelings. I doubt anybody in Edo did not know about it. Apparently, you seem to prove me wrong. You and Megumi. Tell me, are you happy now? Did you expect Kaoru to take your decision in stride? That things would always be the same after what you did? It was pretty reckless, even for someone like me. Kenshin, I have called you an idiot time and time again, but only now do you actually prove it," Sano stopped talking, as if to think of something to add to that. "And you know what?"
Kenshin gave an incline of his head.
"If you are too stupid to realize what's in front of you, then I think I'm better off with Kaoru than Megumi." Yahiko smirked, knowing that because Sano said Kaoru's name, and also implied what he felt for Megumi, attentions would be caught, and questions asked.
He mentally counted, 3...2...1...
"What do you mean?" Megumi snapped, wondering what the hell this "rooster head" was spewing.
Sano sighed. "I'm saying, because you obviously don't care for me or Kaoru, that you best get off of this property."
It seems as if this was the wrong answer because Megumi exploded. "What the hell are you talking about?! Better off with Kaoru? Is that all she is to you? A second choice?!" Megumi yelled, suddenly defensive of her.
"What is Kenshin to you? A second choice? What about you Kenshin? Is that all Megumi is to you? Do you realize the impact of what you have done? You've proposed to her. A life of being together. It isn't like you courted her, or anything in relation to it. Hell, just the other week you wouldn't have given her a second glance! The severity of this situation hasn't hit you yet, has it?" Sano glared at the two, suddenly wanting them out of his presence more than anything.
It struck a nerve,
Yahiko observed, watching Megumi deflate. Then again, he is right. It was an impulsive decision Kenshin made, and he really is regretting it. But is it that easy to take away a marriage proposal? And in doing that, will it erase all of Kaoru's doubts and feelings about it? Should he decide to honestly take it all back…"It'd be for Kaoru's benefit if we let her stay where she has decided." Yahiko spoke, for the first time since Sano began the conversation.
"Yahiko… Don't you see? Kaoru-dono may be in danger. We have to find her. She may very well be kidnapped, and is being held hostage as we speak." Kenshin said quietly.
"Don't you see Kenshin? Should she be in danger, it is your fault. The first time, in fact, where you put her in danger. Though, I do doubt her being kidnapped. Don't you trust in her skills? She had lived alone for two years." Yahiko said back in retaliation.
"Plus," Sano added, "She may not want to see your sorry ass for awhile." He smirked, knowing that it was true.
Kenshin's face fell, and only then did it hit him…
"I proposed… to Megumi-dono." Everyone but Megumi nodded. "With Kaoru-dono there." Another nod. "And I meant it?" This time there was no answer.
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"Wow… What a session! Thanks for taking the time to train with me Misao-chan!" Kaoru wiped the sweat from her brow as she glanced at the shorter woman.
"No problem! That was great! With more practice, I bet you could take on Aoshi-sama!" Misao grinned, her eyes sincere.
"Me? Aoshi? You've got to be kidding me. It'd be nice if he could help me train though! Not too soon… I'm not even that developed! But of course, you'll always be my favorite training partner!" Kaoru winked, and they both laughed. Though, that may not be true. Yahiko did always put up a good fight, however one-sided it was. Kaoru frowned for a moment, before banishing those thoughts. I shouldn't be thinking of this!
As she made her way into her room to get changed for dinner, she knew deep down, that while she lay that night waiting for sleep to come, it never would. That tonight, the thoughts would plague her of her decision.
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AN: Why does it seem so crappy to me? Once again, this was not beta-read. I'm still waiting for chapter one. Bleh. Comments are welcomed, flames are not.
