Disclaimer: I own nothing :/ Watsuki is owner. Not meh.
Songs: Elastic Heart by Sia, Outisde by Calvin Harris ft Ellie Goulding
''And this is my room, which we will both be sharing while you're here, Miss Rini.''
Kenshin held his sword close to his body as he heard the girls enter the room next to his. The rurouni normally wouldn't eavesdrop, but there was something about Rini that he didn't trust. He intended to be on his guard at all times around her.
''It's very lovely, Miss Kaoru. Just like the rest of your house.''
Miss Kaoru had probably just finished giving the new girl a tour of the home, Kenshin supposed.
''Thank you, Rini.'' Laughing could be heard from the next room. ''This is going to be so much fun. I've always wanted a sister and this is almost the same! We can stay up late, oh! And we can...'' Kaoru sounded very excited and the samurai couldn't help being a little thankful to the other redhead for making her so happy. He continued to silently listen in on the girl's conversation and eventually they settled down for the night.
When the soft sound of Kaoru's snores could be heard, Kenshin got up silently and moved out into the walkway, settling himself down next to the girls' room. He knew for a fact that Rini was still awake and wanted to make it clear that he didn't intend to let her do anything malicious while he was around.
Pieces of dark red hair fell in front of Rini's topaz colored eyes as she gazed at the form of the samurai. 'Smart man...' She thought to herself before turning over in her bed and falling asleep.
''I said NO! Get out of my house, you freeloader!''
''Aw, come on, Little Missy. Have a heart.''
''No means no! ''
For some reason, Rini awoke the next morning in a not so happy mood. She pinched her eyes closed, trying to beckon the soft whispers of sleep back to her.
''Miss Kaoru, maybe we should-''
"Kenshin, don't you try to cover up for him!"
"It's just breakfast, missy. It's not like I'm asking for a whole buffet."
The new Kamiya Dojo boarder savagely threw the covers off of herself when she could stand it no longer and got out of bed.
Rini opened the shoji door and looked down the hallway to see Yahiko walking towards her from the kitchen, probably on his way to the bathroom. His hair was messed up and he wasn't wearing a shirt.
The redhead looked in the direction of the kitchen when more yelling and banging could be heard before she turned her attention to Yahiko. ''Does this...happen every morning?'' She asked hesitantly, trying to sound pleasant but there was an obvious bitter tone to her voice.
''Yea.'' Yahiko didn't seem affected as yawned, not bothering to stop and chat with her. ''Better get used to it, lady.''
''Hmm...'' Rini didn't like that response too well and bit the inside of her cheek as she went to investigate just what was going on. The door to the kitchen slid open easily to find Kenshin cooking, Kaoru no where to be found and a huge man wearing an all white attire and red headband.
The two men in the room went silent at her appearance, looking at her with wide eyes. She raised a ruby colored eyebrow at this before brushing it off. ''What's going on?''
''Oh Miss Rini, I see you're awake, that you are.'' Kenshin said, blinking away his surprise and smiling at her.
Rini returned the smile, nodding. ''Yes... And I would like to know why everyone was yelling just now, if you would be so kind.''
''Well you see...'' Kenshin began, scratching the back of his head.
''Who's this Kenshin? Some woman you picked up for the night?'' The other man in the room asked, blatantly staring at her.
Rini frowned and looked down at herself, not at all surprised to find that the neckline of her sleep wear was dangerously low from all the tossing and turning that she usually does at night. Her hair, which had been put in a neat bun last night, was now ruffled to add to her disheveled appearance.
''No!'' Kenshin said, holding up both hands at what his friend was implying. ''Sano, you shouldn't say something like that to someone you just met, that you shouldn't.''
''Well look at her. How can I not think that?'' The brunette asked pointedly, crossing his arms.
''Sano...''
Both men became silent when Rini cleared her throat, turning their attention to the petite redhead. ''It is in my knowledge that to work in the particular field that you are implying, a woman must possess both generously good looks and a certain quality about them that makes men swoon at their very presence.'' She walked over to Sanosuke and patted him on the shoulder. ''So I thank you for your compliment, kind sir, but that is not my current occupation.'' She then disappeared further into the house, leaving two dumbstruck men behind her.
''What...the hell? Who was that?'' Sano asked, confused. He had expected a punch in the face for his words but not a response like that.
''That was Miss Rini Kiyoko, Miss Kaoru's new friend and temporary boarder.'' Kenshin said, just as confused. ''She has quite a unique personality, that she does.''
''You could say that again...''
Rini found Kaoru in her room getting ready for the day. The beds were folded and put aside so that she could have enough space to change and do her hair. The assistant master was sitting in the middle of her room, a mirror in front of her as she expertly pulled up her dark locks into their usual ponytail.
''Oh Rini! There you are! I was wondering when you had gotten up.'' Kaoru said in between the ribbon she was holding in her mouth, when her new friend came into the room.
''I had just gotten up a little while ago. I had wanted to see what all the noise was about.'' Rini replied, shutting the shoji door behind her so that she could get dressed as well.
''Sorry.'' Kaoru said sheepishly, taking the ribbon from her lips. ''I was yelling at Sanosuke for mooching food off of me for the fiftieth time this week.'' She tied her hair up with the blue fabric, using a little more force than was necessary.
''I see...'' Rini said, changing into one of her kimonos. This one was blue and had a simple flower design on it in pink. The flowers were magnolias and the obi was dark red.
''Did you meet him yet?'' Kaoru asked.
''Yes.'' Rini replied, face blank as she looked off to the side. 'And what a meeting it was...'
''He's a jerk. Don't mind him, but anyway Miss Rini.'' Kaoru said, standing up when she finished getting on her own yellow kimono. ''Let's go out into town today.''
''Huh?'' The other woman asked, topaz eyes looking over at the other girl as she swept the soft red strands of her hair over her shoulder to braid it.
''We can look for your friend and even go shopping. It'll be fun.'' Kaoru said, putting a hand on her hip and holding her other pointer finger up in the air.
''Oh and maybe we should go see Dr. Gensai too.'' The blackette said in concern as she came closer to the other woman to get a good look at Rini's face. The bruise from yesterday looked painful as the purple coloring overtook half of the redhead's cheek.
Rini touched her wound experimentally and smiled at Kaoru. ''I'm alright. This is nothing.''
''No. I insist we go.'' Kaoru said, putting her hands on her hips. ''I would hate myself if I let it get infected since I was the one that hurt you in the first place.''
The redheaded woman looked at Kaoru for a moment before sighing and giving in. She most likely wouldn't be able to win this battle if the way the younger girl was looking at her was any indication.
''Now don't forget to clean the dojo Yahiko. I want that place to shine.'' Kaoru instructed as she and Rini put on their sandals. All five of them had just finished breakfast, much to the blackette's dismay as she had to feed Sanosuke too. Now the two women were getting ready to head out for the day.
The assistant-master ignored her apprentice's grunt of disapproval and continued to give out her orders. ''And Kenshin, can you prepare a bath for me later when you've finished the laundry?''
''Yes I most certainly can, Miss Kaoru.'' Kenshin nodded, smiling.
''Good.'' Kaoru said and stood up straight when she got her shoes on. ''And as for you Sanosuke.'' She said, putting her hands on her hips and giving him a pointed look.
Said brunette was leaning against one of the walls of the dojo, arms crossed as he chewed on a fish bone. Kaoru glared at him and jabbed her finger in his direction. ''I don't want to see you here when we get back. Got it?''
Sanosuke didn't respond and was instead looking at Rini as she got her shoes on. She had a faraway look on her face from what he could tell and he vaguely wondered if she was thinking about their meeting from this morning. He just couldn't figure her out for the life of him. No woman in their right mind would take being called that as a compliment.
'She sure is weird...'
''Sanosuke. Sanosuke!''
''Huh?'' was the intelligent response Sano gave to Kaoru as he suddenly found her in his face.
''I said I don't want you here when I get back.'' The assistant-master said, glaring at him and jabbing him with her finger for emphasis.
''Alright alright. Jeez.'' The brunette said, holding his hands up in surrender.
''Good.'' Kaoru humphed and stepped out of the dojo, trusting that Rini would follow.
The elder woman made to catch up to the other woman but stopped in the doorway. ''Just one thing.'' She said, looking over her shoulder at the three men. ''If you're going to go near Cherry, make sure she sees you and that you approach her slowly. Otherwise she will kick you.''
Yahiko blinked at this bit of information, the thought of the huge animal being the least bit aggressive never occurring to him. ''Gotcha!'' He said, pointing a finger at himself and grinning.
''Alright, Miss Rini. Have a pleasant day.'' Kenshin said, smiling at her.
Rini returned the smile and nodded. ''Thanks. Bye.'' The door closed behind her with that, leaving the men alone in the house.
''Well, nothing to do now but finish the chores Miss Kaoru asked of us.'' Kenshin said after a moment of silence. He turned around to head out to the kitchen to finish the dishes from this morning's meal.
''Eh, I'll do it later.'' Yahiko said, having every intent on procrastinating and then finishing the task quickly before the girls got back. He went in the direction of the dojo, leaving Sanosuke standing there thinking to himself.
Only a short walk away found Rini and Kaoru at Dr. Gensai's residence. There was a line of people here this morning to see the doctor and the girls were forced to wait their turn.
''This stinks.'' Kaoru said and rocked back and forth in her chair restlessly. ''I thought if we came here early, we could be in and out in a few minutes.'' She sighed and slumped down in her chair, elbows resting on her thighs as she cradles her chin in her palms.
''Oh come on now. Waiting isn't so bad.'' Rini tried to cheer her up. Kaoru gave her a look and the redhead turned her gaze away for a moment. ''We could um...talk to pass the time?'' She offered.
''Hmmm...'' Kaoru pondered, tapping a finger against her cheek in thought. ''We could. But what about?''
''How about we ask each other questions? We don't really know much about each other.''
''That's true. Alright. Then I'll go first, where are you from Miss Rini?'' Kaoru asked, sitting up in her chair as another patient walked by them to get the reception desk.
''I'm from Osaka. My whole family lives there.'' Rini smiled softly, her gaze fixated down near her feet.
''Wow. That's a long way from here. This friend of yours must be very important for you to come all this way.'' Kaoru said, shocked.
Rini nodded and quickly changed the subject. ''Alright, my turn. Um...'' She thought for a moment. ''What's your favorite color Miss Kaoru?''
''Indigo.'' Kaoru said, pointing to her hair ribbon. ''It's always been my favorite, ever since I was a little girl.'' Rini nodded at this and Kaoru went on to her next question. ''How old are you?''
''Me?'' Rini asked, blinking. She wasn't expecting that. ''I'm twenty three.''
''Really?'' Kaoru asked.
''Yes. What about you? I'll count this as my question.''
''I'm seventeen.'' Kaoru said and blushed while wringing her kimono. She was always so embarrassed to tell people her age, wishing that she was older.
Rini nodded and didn't say anything more so Kaoru thought about her next question. She gasped when she thought of one. ''Miss Rini do you-''
The blackette was cut off however when someone asked for the next patient. The redhead gracefully got up from her seat and smiled at Kaoru when she pouted.
''And I had a really good one too.'' The younger girl frowned and crossed her arms, causing Rini to laugh.
''You can ask me later, alright?''
''Alright.''
''Dr. Gensai is the man we met yesterday when I accidentally punched you.'' Kaoru said as a nurse led them to the room where the doctor was waiting. Rini nodded in recognition as the younger girl continued. ''He's been the doctor of my family for years. He's really good at what he does and is really nice.''
The nurse opened the door for them and led the girls inside. ''Here is Rini Kiyoko, Dr. Takani.''
''Dr. Takani?'' Rini questioned, cocking her head to the side before looking at Kaoru, who suddenly had a bitter expression about her.
''Miss Megumi?'' Kaoru questioned as the nurse shut the door behind them. ''Where's Dr. Gensai?''
''Oh. It's you.'' A young woman with long dark hair and pouty red lips said as she sat up in her chair. ''Dr. Gensai is taking Ayame and Suzume to your dojo as we speak. Why? You have a problem with me doing my job?''
''No.'' Kaoru said, a sour look on her face.
''Good. Now, Miss Rini was it?'' Megumi asked and the girl in question nodded. ''Would you please sit down and tell me what's wrong? Well other than the fact that you're friends with this dope.'' She said and laughed, fox ears popping up on her head from nowhere.
''Miss Megumi!'' Kaoru said and glared at the fox woman.
Rini for one didn't know what to make of this, but sat down anyway and explained what happened.
''I see.'' Megumi sighed and shook her head. ''I'm really not surprised. A vicious girl like Kaoru would do something like punch a complete stranger in the middle of the street. And you wonder why Sir Ken refuses to return your feelings.''
Kaoru clenching her fists. ''It was an accident.''
''Really it was.'' Rini said, nodding as Megumi went to fetch some materials for her bruise. ''And she apologized, that's good enough for me.''
Megumi snorted at this. ''If it were me, I would have sued her for sure.''
Rini smiled and shook her head, an anime sweatdrop on her forehead. ''Now that's going a little too far, don't you think?'' She laughed nervously.
''Not at all.'' Megumi said, dabbing at the redheads wound with a cotton-ball. ''You have rights as a human being and being assaulted is punishable by law.''
Kaoru gaped and shrunk back into her chair a little.
''Even little girl's aren't exempt from that.'' Megumi said and laughed when Kaoru got angry at her words.
''Yes but I see no reason to be so hostile if it was just a little accident.'' Rini argued. ''Besides, even if she didn't apologize or act so kind to me, I wouldn't sue her. People make mistakes. Even if she did mean it, I still wouldn't do that. I'm just not that type of person.''
Both the blackettes were silent for a moment as they digested Rini's words.
''I truly admire your kindness, Miss Rini.'' The doctor said and took Rini's hand in her own. ''You obviously aren't appreciated enough by Kaoru if this is the way she treats you.'' She said and suddenly fox ears were on her head again, causing Rini to gape at their sudden appearance. ''Maybe you should come live here with me and we can talk about grown up things and drink legally.'' She said, laughing obnoxiously.
''Miss Megumi.'' Kaoru hissed.
''Maybe you should find little girls your own age and play hopscotch or something Kaoru. You might find that you fit in better there.''
''Why you!''
''Oh my.'' Rini sighed, looking up at the ceiling as if it would help her. Life with Kaoru wasn't going to be quiet, that's for sure.
In the end, Megumi recommended that Rini rinse out her mouth after every meal so that any cuts or bruising wouldn't get infected. She put a patch over Rini's wound and gave them a box of ohagi to take home to ''her Sir Ken''. Miss Kaoru wasn't too happy about her claiming Kenshin for her own but took the free food anyways and left before she could be insulted any further, dragging Rini with her as the obnoxious fox lady laughed after them.
The water was cold against his fingertips as Kenshin scrubbed away at some laundry. Yahiko and Sanosuke were off somewhere, leaving him to sit over the tub of soapy linens all by his lonesome. The rurouni unconsciously washed the lines, his mind focused on other things.
'If you're going to go near Cherry, make sure she sees you and that you approach her slowly. Otherwise she will kick you.' Rini's words repeated themselves in his mind, distracting him momentarily from the task at hand. 'Why would she say that? It's obvious that she came to Tokyo intending to fight someone and nothing else. Otherwise she wouldn't have brought that sword with her.' Kenshin let the cloth he was washing fall into the bucket as he stared off into the distance. 'I have to keep my guard up around her, that I do, and not just her...'
Kenshin looked back over his shoulder at Cherry, who was happily munching on some apples in the courtyard. Rini must have left them there for her this morning.
''Uncle Ken! Uncle Ken!''
The addressed turned his head towards the sound of little feet running towards him and smiled when he saw Ayame and Suzume rushing up to hug him.
''Good afternoon you two.'' Kenshin said as the two girls embraced him.
''Uncle Ken, let's play!'' Ayame said, tugging on his clothing.
''In a minute, okay? I'm almost done here, that I am.'' Kenshin said, closing his eyes as he smiled. He caught sight of Dr. Gensai near the gate to the backyard and waved. The two of them made short conversation before the old man left, trusting his granddaughters in the rurouni's care for the day.
''Hurry up, Uncle Ken.'' Suzume said and twirled around for no reason other than she was bored. She suddenly stopped and tugged on the redhead's shirt when she noticed Cherry. ''Hey Uncle Ken, what's that?'' She asked, pointing at the mare and tugging on Kenshin's shirt.
''Hm? Oh, that's a horse, Suzume. Her name is Cherry, that it is.'' The redhead said, not stopping in his scrubbing to look up at the black clydesdale. ''She belongs to Miss Kaoru's new friend, that she does.''
''A horsy?'' Ayame said, gasping and putting her hands on her cheeks. ''Can we ride her Uncle Ken?''
''Yea can we? Can we?'' Suzume said, grasping the sides of the bucket that Kenshin was washing clothes in and rocking back and forth while holding onto it.
Kenshin stopped washing and smiled sadly at the two girls. ''I'm sorry.'' he said. ''But Cherry isn't the type of horse that likes to play. It's best that you stay away from her, that it is.''
''But she wants to play with you Uncle Ken!'' Ayame said and pointed behind Kenshin, where Cherry now stood.
''Oro?'' Kenshin said in confusion as Cherry placed her nose on his head and sniffed. 'I didn't even hear her come. How did she-' His train of thought was lost when the huge horse bit on his ponytail and yanked it.
The redhead let out a pained 'oro' as the girls laughed at his expense. The horse kept tugging until she could see the rurouni's face and then snorted, releasing him.
Kenshin rubbed the back of his head. ''That hurt, that it did.''
''Funny horsy!'' Suzume giggled as she and her sister continued to laugh.
Cherry ignored all three of them as she placed her mouth against the soapy water and lapped at it.
''No you shouldn't drink that!'' Kenshin said and tried to pull the overgrown horse away from the water. He accidentally pulled on her black mane in his attempt to get her away and the animal's eyes turned red in anger.
The redhead saw this and slowly backed away from her. ''Now Cherry, I... I didn't mean...'' He said, holding up his hands in surrender, a sheepish smile on his face.
For a moment, nothing happened, but only for a moment. In the next second Cherry moved her head behind Kenshin and knocked him forward with her nose, sending him face first into the soapy water.
''Hahahahahahaaa!'' Both the girls burst out laughing, holding their stomachs as Kenshin got all wet and soapy. The black horse whinnied as if she was laughing at him too.
''Oro...'' Kenshin said, pulling himself out of the liquid and looking at his wet clothing. 'I have a feeling that horse isn't ordinary, that it isn't...' He thought to himself, shedding anime tears over his ruined pink shirt.
A few hours later found Kenshin sitting on the deck, trying to tame his hair. His shirt was hanging up with the rest of the laundry to dry and he hadn't bothered to put another one on. His hakama were a little wet too but it was nothing too serious.
Amethyst eyes watched as Cherry played with the little girls, an exasperated look on their owner's face. The black horse had been skiddish with the kids at fist, but had warmed up to them a little bit after a while and they were now playing some game together.
''Hey Kenshin.'' Sanosuke said, coming up to the battousai out of nowhere. ''Woah. What happened to you?''
Kenshin frowned, big fat tears running down his cheeks as he had flashbacks to the horrifying event moments ago. ''Cherry...'' Was all the rurouni offered in explanation.
"Ah."
Kenshin shook his head, casting away the tears as a thought occurred to him. ''By the way Sano, where have you been all this time?'' He asked, bringing his hands up to try and tame his red mane once again.
''Nowhere really.'' Sano said, shrugging as he sat down next to the wanderer. He had actually been snooping around the dojo for a snack but didn't find anything worth eating.
The brunette and redhead fell into silence before the younger male started speaking again. ''You seem like you're thinkin' pretty hard about somethin. What's up?''
Kenshin stopped combing through his hair and let his hands drop to his sides. ''Sano, if you knew someone was carrying a concealed weapon, how would you deal with it?''
Sanosuke laid down on the deck and put his hands underneath his head, frowning. He couldn't think of anything that would lead the other man to ask that question. ''...Depends. Does this person seem dangerous or not?''
''Not from what you know.'' Kenshin said, tying his hair back into it's normal style.
''Then I'd give them a shot and see if they do anything. I wouldn't judge them for something like that anyways. Hell, you have a visible sword on you and the missy still trusted you. So why shouldn't I give this guy a shot?'' Sano asked, shrugging. ''Besides, maybe it's only for self defense or somethin' like that. You never know...''
''I see.'' Kenshin said, gazing out into the courtyard.
''Why'd ya ask?''
''No reason.'' Kenshin said and smiled at the other man, causing him to raise an eyebrow in question.
''Hey Kenshin, Sanosuke!''
Both men turned to see Yahiko down the hall. He had his wooden sword in his hand and a big grin on his face. ''The girls are back! And they brought food!''
Sanosuke was up like a shot and barreling down the hallway. ''Why didn't ya say so? Out of the way, shrimp!'' He said, pushing Yahiko to try and get into the dining room where the girls were.
''Don't call me shrimp, rooster head!'' Yahiko yelled, pushing Sano back and ended up getting the two of them stuck in the doorway as they both tried to get in at the same time.
''Then move out of the way.''
''No you!''
''Boys, boys. There's enough for everybody.'' Rini said and chuckled when she saw the two of them fighting.
''Yea so quit messing up my house.'' Kaoru said, getting irritated. ''Hey wait a minute." She started, getting up from her seat next to Rini. "I thought I told you to get out before I came back, Sanosuke!'' The blackette said, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt.
''Oh come on. You can't kick me out now. The panda said there was enough for everybody!''
''Oh yes I can!''
''Panda?'' Rini asked, blinking as Sanosuke and Kaoru went on a yelling rampage.
''I'm guessing he's calling you a red panda?'' Yahiko asked, pointing to her hair and shrugging as he sneakily unboxed the food while everyone was distracted. ''He calls every girl he meets some sort of animal. Ugly over there is a racoon.'' He said, snickering as he went to steal the first bite.
In the blink of an eye, Yahiko had a huge bump on his head from Kaoru's punch. ''Don't call me that.'' She huffed and tossed her hair over her shoulder. ''I'm much too beautiful to be a racoon.''
''Yea. Okay.'' Yahiko and Sanosuke said sarcastically.
''What was that?'' Kaoru said, cracking her knuckles.
From the doorway, Kenshin watched his abnormal family. He suddenly blinked and moved when he felt two small hands pushing him out of the way.
Ayame and Suzume ran into the room to see if there really was food and went over to Rini when they saw her. Kenshin watched and half listened to their meeting as he thought about what Sanosuke had said earlier.
'I wouldn't judge for something like that.'
''Oh, I'm Rini. Nice to meet you.''
''I'm Ayame''
''And I'm Suzume! Hey, are you Cherry's mama?''
Rini laughed and nodded.
'Hell, you have a visible sword on you and the missy still trusted you.'
''Maybe I can take you sometime.''
''Really?''
''Sure.'' Rini nodded at the two girls, causing them to squeal in excitement. The redhead looked up, catching Kenshin's gaze as he stood in the doorway and gave him a smile.
Kenshin blinked and then slowly gave her a small one of his own back.
''Uh Kenshin...why don't you have a shirt on?''
Yay chapter two done. I realize that there isn't much going on in the chap and I apologize for that. I want to get everyone used to Rini before I start revealing anything about who she really is and all that good stuff. I plan to have this come out every weekend if I can, maybe even sooner. I have the middle of the story all set up but I kind of don't know how to end it yet so we'll see how that goes. I really hope you're liking this so far and if you do please please please leave a review. It gives me the motivation to update faster! Well anyways til next time. Ja!~
~Migoto Nami
Next time: Yahiko gets some friendly advice from Rini
Random Short:
Kenshin hummed to himself quietly as he finished the laundry. Cherry was playing with the children, leaving him free to accomplish his task. He hung up the rest of it and wiped his forehead as he made his way onto the deck.
''Uncle Ken?''
''Hmmm?'' Kenshin asked and turned around to see Ayame and Suzume looked wide eyed at him.
''There's a spider on your hand.'' She said, frightened.
''What?'' He asked, bringing his hand up to his face where there was indeed a spider. A spider that took almost the entire back of his hand. He blinked and he could have sworn the spider did as well.
…
''AH!'' Kenshin screamed in a surprisingly girly, high pitched voice as he shook his hand to try and get it off.
On the other side of the house, Sano heard the scream and rushed over. ''What's going on?'' He asked angrily and then came to a stop when he saw Kenshin screaming like a girl and shaking his hand frantically as he ran around the back yard in circles.
''Wha?''
''Sanosuke!'' Yahiko yelled, coming to a stop next to the taller guy. ''What's the matter? Who's yelling?''
''...Battousai the Manslayer.'' Sanosuke said with a -_- look on his face as he pointed at his friend.
''You know, sometimes he embarrasses me.'' Yahiko sighed, having a similar expression.
''OH GOD IT'S ON MY FACE, THAT IT IS!''