Foreword: Any similarities and or/inconsistencies with real life are purely coincidental. No harm intended.
Disclaimer: I do not own RuroKen. As always =)
~o~o~o~
Windsor Residences, 19th Street – an eight-storey residential building located on the suburbs of the British capital. It's where Kaoru heads to everyday after work, or after any other engagements outside for that matter. She usually comes there alone. It has always been that way for the last five and a half years. But that night, or early morning to be exact, was different. She was with a stranger. They accidentally – and literally – bumped into each other at the airport. And being the compassionate person that she is, Kaoru invited him to her humble dwelling. She didn't think her conscience can forgive her if she just let one stranger, who was not familiar with the place and was looking for someone, sit there alone in the cold. It was natural for her to carry somebody's burden like it was her own. Her offer was the least she could do.
Kenshin gazed at the building in front of him. He clutched on his backpack and held his luggage. He's been going with the flow ever since he came there. Everything around him seemed to be moving, unstable and variable. Only the thoughts of Tomoe kept his sanity afloat. But the longer he thinks about her, the more he feels that even the good memories of their relationship he was holding on to were becoming unstable. Then he went back to zero. He came back to question himself why. Why did Tomoe suddenly disappear? Not just physically, but more of emotionally. Kenshin couldn't feel her. He hated himself for thinking about it, but it felt like he was just abandoned. Like he was just left there to wait desperately. To wait for anything or nothing at all. It pains him. And the more he thinks of her, the ache lingers more. Kenshin held his breath. And then he relaxed. He will see her tomorrow. And he can demand on Tomoe for the answers.
Kaoru walked towards the lift. Her unit is on the seventh storey. She pressed that number and held the open button. She waited for Kenshin to get inside. He put his backpack on top of the luggage. He stared at her, but he could only see her back. Kaoru looked straight ahead as the lift passed by floors one to six. Then she heard the buzzer-like sound. It was the lift's signal that they were on the correct floor. Kaoru alighted and Kenshin followed. They passed by five more units before Kaoru stopped on one front door. She inspected the pockets of her jeans for the house key. It was not there. She unzipped her bag and searched for it. Then Kaoru put the key onto the hole of the door knob. One forceful turn and the door was finally unlocked.
"Here we are." Kaoru's voice bordered relief with exhaustion. Kenshin was brought back to his senses. It was the first time he has heard her voice since he decided to come with her. She did not say a single word while they were on the taxi. And Kenshin was also uncertain if it was alright to talk to her. And if it was alright, what would he ask her then? What would they talk about? He does not even know her name. Kenshin did not have the courage to ask. He's embarrassed for being an unwanted bother to her. So he opted to return the silence instead. They were both quiet until that moment. Kenshin looked around. His lavender eyes examined the apartment unit, but his feet were stuck on the doorstep. Kaoru was already inside. She put her bag on top of one small coffee table in the unit's supposed living room. She started to walk to the kitchen to open the lights. And she noticed that her guest was not making any move. Kaoru walked back to the front door. "Uh – " Her eyes carefully examined him. "Is something the matter?"
Kenshin was in another absent-minded state when he heard her inquiry. His eyes blinked before he gave a reply. "Nothing. Everything's fine." He curved his lips slightly upwards. Then carried his things inside. Kaoru stepped aside as the stranger allowed himself in. "Sorry for the mess. I usually don't have time to clean up, you see." She grabbed some cluttered items from the sofa before she proceeded to open the lights on the kitchen and check the fridge. Kenshin studied his surroundings, which on that time consists of two small sofa chairs; a coffee table with her leather shoulder bag, various magazines and disorganized papers on top; a shelf with some novels, books and folders stuck in between; and one small television set with matching player and speakers. They were surrounded in plain white walls accentuated by some abstract paintings and one portrait. Kenshin leaned closer to check on it. It was the stranger's picture. And by the looks of it, the portrait was her college graduation shot. The unit was small in general, but it still has ample space for at least one family to move around. But she did not mention anything about her family, nor anything general about herself. So Kenshin assumed that she was living there alone.
~o~o~o~
Her eyes searched for anything acceptable to offer. The fridge only contains water bottles and leftover food most of the time. Even the freezer did not have stock cold meat or chicken, only ice cubes. It was really a shame. How could she present her home to accommodate the stranger when she can't offer any decent food to begin with? It will be a shame if she just bought something from the nearby convenience store. That won't be acceptable too. Kaoru was about to give up when she saw one covered container on the top rack. She remembered it was the meatball spaghetti she cooked the morning before she went with the lady boss for shopping. Kaoru knew she couldn't cook gourmet. She also admits that her cooking wouldn't even pass for a beginner. But she had no choice. She turned the microwave on and put the pasta inside. "Are you okay with meatball spaghetti?" Kaoru asked him while she set the plate and the glass. "Or are you vegetarian or something?"
"It's okay." Kenshin walked towards her. His eyes inspected the new area of the apartment. It was more cluttered than the living room. There were used plates and pans near the sink waiting to be washed. The stove housed one large casserole on top. The fridge door had some random notes held by magnetic buttons of varying colors. The countertop can't also be considered tidy. But there was something special about that kitchen, and that place the stranger calls home. She may apologize for it being not-so-presentable. But it wasn't that bad actually. His own unit looked the same. And the resemblance helped Kenshin feel at ease.
The pasta on the microwave is done. Kaoru put on her mittens and retrieved the food from the oven. She carefully presented it on the table. "Here, help yourself." She pulled one chair from the set of four from the dining table. Though shy for causing her the extra trouble of preparing food for him, Kenshin obliged. He was indeed hungry. What's with this stranger that she's able to make all the correct assumptions about him? Like really. "Just bare with the taste. Cooking is really not my forte, you know." Kaoru smiled and gave him her warning. Kenshin stared at the plate of spaghetti. "What about you? Have you already eaten dinner?" It was his turn to inquire. "Yeah, I'm already full."
~o~o~o~
Kaoru left him at the dining table and went to her room. There was only one bedroom in the unit. And there was only one bed available. It was a single bed. Only Kaoru could sleep on it. But there was a sofa bed beside it. She bought that piece of furniture just in case some of her friends would sleep over. She decided that it will be the stranger's bed for the meantime. Like she had other options anyway. Kaoru opened the cabinet to get the extra bedding. She dusted off the sofa bed before covering it. Afterwards, she place one large pillow on top. Kaoru held her chin. There's still something missing. It was not the perfect setup. She gazed at the improvised bed and her own bed. There was safe distance between the two. But there was no privacy. Even if the room was not that big, Kaoru still wanted some private space.
She laid out a plan in her mind. Kaoru then went to the living room to get something from the shelf drawer. It was a thick nylon cord. Clasping it on her hands, she went back to the bedroom. She removed one flower painting from the wall, then tied the cord to the hook. She retrieved the reserve curtain from the cabinet and attached it on the nylon cord. Finally, she hooked the other end to the opposing wall. Not the setup was finished. The curtain provided a divided between his bed and her bed. That should do it, she thought.
Kenshin held the fork as soon as she left. He rolled it over the plate to have a serving of the spaghetti. As she claimed it, the pasta tasted bland. It wasn't so bad but it was not good either. But he did not complain. He did not have the right to complain. He was actually grateful. The stranger was kind enough to let him stay for the night. She even provided his dinner. Kenshin consumed all that was served to him. It was satisfying nevertheless. He stood up after the meal and collected the used plate and glass. He put it on top of the sink, opened the faucet, and started cleaning all the utensils. This was the least he could do for her. He did not mind at all.
~o~o~o~
She walked back to the kitchen to check on her guest. "What are you doing?" Kenshin was suddenly interrupted with the washing. "I'm just cleaning up my mess." He said in his gentle, husky voice. It was the first time Kaoru saw the stranger smile at such sincerity. That smile had something special. She secretly wished she can see that often. But it was only wishful thinking. The stranger will leave tomorrow. And then she'll be all by herself again. "You don't have to do that. I can clean them up later." Kaoru aimed to get the soap-soaked plate away from his hand. Now her face and his face were so close she could almost feel his breathing brush through her face. Kenshin was able to look at her face more intently this time. He almost instantly admired how beautiful her large, blue eyes were at that close proximity. Kaoru has never been this physically close to someone she barely knew. And it made her feel uncomfortable, yet she did not move. There was a pause and everything around them went on stand-still. Kenshin felt something warm at the back of his palm. It was her hand. Kaoru felt the joints of his thin hand. It felt strong yet fragile. And then another pause.
"Sorry." Kenshin politely removed his hand from the contact. "Please let me do this. I'm almost finished anyway." And there he goes again. That smile and that voice. And those eyes. They're still hypnotic. Violet is not her favorite color, but Kaoru was somewhat attracted to the shade of his eyes. "Okay – " She answered weakly while she wiped the excess soap from her hand. "I'll just change clothes. Better put on something warmer also. The night could get chilly, you know." And true enough, Kenshin was starting to feel the cold. He was still not accustomed to the London weather. How did she know that? Can she read his mind? Kenshin did not notice a smile that curved on his lips. "I'll be right back." Kaoru briefly glanced at him before heading for the shower.
The dishes are done. The table and countertop are also cleaned up. Kenshin looked around one more time to check if all the kitchen tasks are finished. He walked back to the living room and sat on one of the sofa chairs. It was comforting to him: the sofa chair, the dinner he just had, and the overall ambience of the stranger's apartment. He hates to admit it, but he felt at home. It was unusual to feel that way especially when you're in someone else's home. Someone you just met, to be more precise. He's already staying in her apartment and has already eaten a meal served by her, but Kenshin still doesn't know her name. It seemed impolite on his part, so he decided that he will finally ask for it as soon as she comes back. He rested his back on the cushion and stretched both arms to the side. His face looked up at the ceiling when Kenshin unconsciously smiled for no reason at all. Then he suddenly remembered Tomoe. He bets Tomoe will get jealous if she finds out that he slept at one stranger's place, a lady stranger that is.
Kaoru took off her clothes and turned the shower on. She adjusted the temperature to a warmer setting than normal. The hot moist stained the glass divider as the water continuously flowed. Kaoru let the warm water embrace her body. She closed her eyes and random thoughts suddenly came in. She imagined the stranger's smile. She wished she can really see that often. And his eyes. And his gentle touch. Kaoru opened her eyes and touched her left wrist. It was where the stranger first touched her when he wiped it with his handkerchief. Kaoru looked at it closely and unconsciously raised her left wrist to touch her cheek. She just wanted to feel the stranger's touch, that's all. Wait – what is she doing? Is she really out of her mind? Kaoru quickly came to her senses and turned the shower off. This is not right. She hates to admit it. But for one moment there, she thinks she had fantasized about the stranger. Funny but unacceptable. Really unacceptable.
~o~o~o~
After changing clothes and combing her hair, Kaoru went to the living room. She saw the stranger napping over the sofa chair. He must be really tired from the flight. Kaoru was not sure whether she'll wake him up or let him sleep there. But he cannot sleep sound at that uncomfortable position. Kenshin leaned his face on his arm that rested on top of the chair's handle. His arm would hurt if he stayed that way until morning. Kaoru knelt to his level. She looked at his sleeping frame for a moment before gently tapping his shoulder. "Pssst!" She whispered to his ear. Kaoru did not know how to call the stranger. How impolite of her not to ask for his name or at least introduce herself. She'll do that later, but for now she had to wake him up. Kenshin slowly opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was the color of blue. It's her eyes. He blinked and realized he had already fallen asleep. "You can sleep at my room." Kaoru said as she slowly stood back up. "It's alright, Miss. I can sleep here." Kenshin smiled as he regained consciousness. "But where will you sleep? There are only two chairs here. You don't want to hurt your arm or your back." Kenshin was reluctant. He did not want to abuse her kindness and actually sleep on her bedroom. That would be too much to ask from her. "Don't worry about me. I could use this chair for tonight." And he smiled again. "No, I can't allow that." Kaoru crossed her arms. Her voice sounded firm this time. "But – " Kenshin didn't know how to convince her. "Oh, don't make this too difficult for both of us." She said in frustration. Kaoru pulled his arms and forced him to stand up. "To the bedroom it is!" She exclaimed as she pushed his back towards the lone room in the apartment.
Kenshin studied the bedroom. There were two beds laying side-by-side. They were divided by one thick curtain in the middle. He was not sure whether it was alright to sleep on the same room as hers. It would be improper. And he didn't want to cause her any embarrassment or trouble. He had caused her so much already. So his feet did not move forward. "That would be your bed, and this is mine." Kaoru pointed to the sofa bed on the left, then to her own bed on the right. He did not respond. Kaoru checked the unsure look of her guest. "What are you waiting for? Go and get yourself some sleep. You really look so tired." Kenshin looked back at the stranger. And there she goes again. That look from her sapphire orbs made him unable to contest. What's with her that she can actually make him do whatever she wants him to do? And as if being cast under the stranger's spell, Kenshin slowly walked towards his designated bed and sat on it. His hands traced the cushion and the bedding she put to cover it.
Kaoru opened the cabinet to get the thick white blanket. She seldom uses that blanket. So it smelled like the wooden material from which the cabinet was made. "You can use these. Sorry, it's the only one available." She handed it to the stranger. "By the way, I'll go out early tomorrow morning. I'll just leave a note and the key at – " She paused. Kaoru realized that she kept on talking and talking and yet she still doesn't know his name. She chuckled softly. "I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself." She moved forward to offer her hand. "The name is Kaoru. Kaoru Kamiya. And you are?" Kenshin's eyes widened. Finally, he knows what the stranger's name is. Kenshin stood up to shake her hand. "I'm Kenshin." Kaoru's muscles twitched as his hand firmly shook hers. Was it some form of electricity? Or was she just imagining things? His touch was soft and gentle, but firm enough to securely hold her hand. And his name – Kenshin. It was the first time she learned of such a name. Like it was only made for him. "Kenshin Himura." He continued. Now, he's smiling again. Kaoru gasped and returned a smile as well.
~o~o~o~
Kaoru turned her back on him as she walked towards her bed. "Ms. Kaoru?" Her feet automatically stopped moving. It was weird to hear the stranger's voice speak her name. No, he wasn't a stranger anymore. His name is Kenshin. It's such an appealing name and she loved repeating it over and over in her head. Kenshin. Kenshin Himura. She secretly smiled at the thought. He wouldn't see it anyway. "Yes?" She slowly turned around to face him once more. Kaoru managed to purse back her neutral face. "I – ah – " Kenshin was unsure again. He didn't know why he called her in the first place. Maybe he just wanted to speak her name? Kaoru. Kaoru Kamiya. A fitting name for a sweet lady such as her. Kenshin now looked to the side as he didn't want to get caught in her gaze. "Is there anything you need?" Kenshin looked back at her upon this inquiry. "Nothing – " He was lost for words. "This one is thankful for the hospitality, that I really am." His voice was nervous. But he meant it. He was really grateful. Kaoru did not notice that she held her breath. She didn't need it. His gratitude that bordered being apologetic. He sounded like he had bothered her so much, which is not true. Kaoru did not mind anything at all. "It's no big deal." She smiled as she walked to her bed.
"Well, I'm going to turn off the lights. I can't sleep with my eyes distracted, you know. I hope you don't mind." She said while holding the switch. "It's okay." Kenshin said softly. He was already lying on the bed. And in just one click, the lights went off. Kaoru lied on her bed and allowed the mattress to absorb all her tiredness. She looked at the ceiling above. The room was silent. "Kenshin?" She was surprised to hear him speak as well. "Ms. Kaoru?" They have spoken each other's names at the same time. Was it just coincidence? Yes, sort of. "Good night." She responded quickly to somehow break the awkward moment. Kaoru wanted to say so much, but she could only say those two words. She wanted to know more about him. Like why he came to London and who was the person he was looking for. But she was not sure if it was alright to meddle with his personal matters. Kenshin smiled after hearing her voice from the other side of the curtain. What was that for? He smiled for no reason at all. And he called her name for no reason at all. Again. "Thank you, Ms. Kaoru." He hates to admit it, but Kenshin liked the sound of her name on his lips. "Good night." Kenshin added before allowing his eyes to close.
~o~o~o~
A/N: Whew! That was quite a handful to type. Sorry for the OOC-ness. I tried really hard.
Comments, suggestions and/or violent reactions are welcome. And once again, thank you for your time =)
