Oh Dear
Chapter 2
Hm, I wonder?
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, That I do not. Haha. Damn.
She soon found out that certain weasels are prone to do things you don't want them to. Such as drag you shopping for the perfect outfit to and I quote " Knock the socks off Kenshin". She was fairly sure she could put this under harassment, the amount of skirts and lace and bows she'd been required to put on.
"Misao…" She trailed off looking at herself in the mirror. She did look different and it was a good different. But really how was any of this helping was her only thought as she eyed the denim mini skirt she'd been forced into.
"He needs to see you as yourself Kao! He needs to see the woman you've grown into! He's so used to you as his not-so-girly best friend" Misao stated as if she'd practiced this speech in the mirror and simultaneously handed her a half denim jacket, which she half-heartedly put on.
With a small frown, Misao declared that this shop was not good enough and they changed back to their own clothes and she was dragged to yet another shop.
Unfortunately for Kaoru, fate was never really kind as she found herself staring into for the third time this day, gorgeous amethyst eyes. She attempted to drag Misao into another shop before she was spotted but when she heard someone, Kenshin, shout her name. She was forced to turn around and wave.
Misao looked like a cat about to get a big bowl of cream and she hurriedly whispered instructions into Kaoru's ear. " Look, this is the best chance your gonna get. So first, drag him off somewhere private. Have a coffee or something with him. Then hold his hand, flutter your eyelashes a bit and then tell him! It'll be perfect! You guys'll be together before the end of the day!"
Kaoru raised an eyebrow at her friend and whispered back "I hope you know your insane!" Misao simply shook her head and exclaimed loudly to the approaching couple "Hey guys! What're you guys doing here?" Oh...She hadn't even noticed Tomoe walking behind him.
Kenshin smiled back and replied "We're just looking around for a few things. How about you guys?" She really didn't like the devious smile that was lighting up Misao's face. Dammit! Where was Aoshi when you needed him!? "Oh we're just here shopping for a new outfit for Kaoru to wear out on her date! She's going to look absolutely fab!" Misao gushed throwing in a wink for emphasis.
She didn't think there was more a time when she just wanted the ground to open up and swallow her than now. "Actually, the guy liked her for quite a bit! But he was too shy! And now they've just opened up the possibilities for their future together" Misao continued with love hearts in her eyes. Kaoru was fairly sure she'd forgotten she was even talking about her.
"So who's the lucky guy Kaoru-dono? And why haven't you told me about this?" Kenshin smiled mischievously. Kaoru looked over at Tomoe who'd been silent the entire time as if to silently plead her to avert this disaster. For one split second, Tomoe looked up and smiled the saddest smile Kaoru'd ever seen on her sister. And then it was gone.
What in god's name was all that about!? "Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin was presently waving his hand his front of her face. "Earth to Kaoru-dono" he said waving his hand in front of her face. "Kenshin, I'm feeling a bit flushed. I think I need to head to the ladies room to freshen up. Misao, Accompany me please" Tomoe suddenly spoke up. Misao looked over at Tomoe almost suspiciously before nodding and announcing in a chipper voice "We'll be back soon!"
Kaoru finally snapped out of her trance and noted how Misao and Tomoe had left. Oh god they'd left them alone. "That's odd…" She heard Kenshin mumble. She looked up at him and sighed. "There's no date Kenshin. Misao just has an odd habit of saying things that aren't true"
He just smiled. "Sessha know. You would have Sessha if you were going out with someone" She looked over at him. "I don't always tell you everything you know!" she said slightly irritated. Hell she didn't even know why she was irritated. Might have something to do with this trip then bumping into the people she was hoping to avoid…
Kenshin raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" he asked in a teasing tone. She felt herself blush slightly. Why did he have to have this effect on her. "I don't you know! I have a private life too!" She huffed out. He just chuckled. "Hey it's not funny! I don't have to tell you everything you know" she said indignantly hitting his arm.
His chuckles turned into full-blown laughter as she grew redder. "It's not funny dammit!" She said hitting his arm harder. He looked over at her; his eyes filled with laughter and said "You look really cute when you're annoyed"
Her temper immediately cooled down as she watched him laugh. Her thoughts immediately went back to the talk she had with Megumi last night.
"Honestly, it's about time you told him. He's not always going to wait for a sweaty tomboy like you to confess!" Megumi said rather callously, flicking back her long dark locks.
Kaoru looked up at the older woman. "It's not that easy Megumi. I just want his happiness…" She trailed off, her eyes taking on a faraway look. "And how do you know you're not his happiness?" the doctor questioned narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Kaoru it's time for you to grow up. Tomoe can see it as much as anyone else who knows you both! You both love each other. And it's time to be mature enough to accept that before it's too late." She finished looking directly at the girl who was attempting not to make eye-contact.
"You can avoid us all for as long as you want. And it won't help you. In fact you'll end up miserable with about 50 cats" She looked over at the still cringing girl. "Do you want that?" Megumi questioned raising an eyebrow.
"Of course not but-" Kaoru was cut off by the lady doctor saying " Then enough of your foolish he'll never love me and your telling him how you feel. As soon as possible!" Megumi said looking over at Kaoru who looked unsure. "Wait and see. You'll both end up really happy if you take the first step" She finished off.
Suddenly they both jumped at the sound of terrible singing. "I know only one fool who'd be stupid enough to sing that badly at this time" Megumi seethed, swiftly standing up to the door. "Do not dare be afraid to tell him Kaoru" She looked back at the girl once more before walking into the corridor. "Sanosuke Sagara, You are in so much trouble!" She heard Megumi yell. She chuckled. Good ole Sano…
"Kenshin you wanna get coffee today?" She asked suddenly, looking up at him. He looked up at her. Something seemed different. He couldn't really see what but she suddenly looked as if she'd just had an epiphany. "Yeah, Sure Kaoru-dono, Sessha would love to" He smiled. And got promptly hit over the head with a bag she'd been holding.
"How many times have I told you not to call me Kaoru-dono? My name is Kaoru! Say it with me now Ka-o-ru!" She said laughing. "Oro, Kaoru-dono, Sessha is sorry" He replied, grinning sheepishly. She just shook her head, laughing. It was almost as if this entire wedding ordeal hadn't happened. Like they were back to being friends.
"Where are Tomoe and Misao? They've been gone a good twenty minutes. I wonder if one of them fell down the toilet" She laughed slightly at her own joke. Kenshin's phone beeped slightly. He checked the message that'd arrived. "Oro… Kaoru-dono, Misao-dono and Tomoe-san had to leave. Something urgent came up" He said frowning at his phone.
She just grinned slightly, mentally thanking Misao. "Well then. It's perfect time for coffee then!" She replied dragging him off in the general direction of a coffee shop.
Tomoe looked over at Misao who was currently telling her all that'd happened. "So you think she'll confess now that we've given her time?" She asked delicately. "I know it! I know Kaoru's been thinking about it for a long time now!" She replied cheerily. She noted the older woman just nodded slightly sadly. "Ohh Tomoe-san! I'm so sorry about this! I wish I could help you find the one you love too!" Misao looked over at the quiet lady.
Tomoe shook her head slightly. "Kaoru deserves this. She's let me take everything I've ever wanted from her. She deserves this happiness" she replied quietly. After all, maybe there was someone waiting for her after all. If he kept his promise that is…
At the same time Misao dazed off thinking of her own Aoshi-sama. 'Oh Aoshi-sama, Will you ever see me as I see you?' she thought miserably. Her attention was snapped back to Tomoe as she spoke "Misao-chan. Please ensure Kaoru-chan is always happy with him. I have some unfinished business to take care of elsewhere"
She looked at Misao "Do not worry. I will tell Kaoru and Kenshin that I am leaving. But I want you to ensure they both end up with the right person" She finished looking directly ahead.
"Tomoe-san! You don't have to-" Misao was cut off by the older woman softly speaking. "I do not have to Misao. But it would be best if I did. I will not endanger Kaoru's happiness again. I refuse to steal this joy from her" She shook her head firmly. Not again…
Misao found herself staring after the older woman as she walked away. What had she meant again…? Misao sighed. These people, they always made life so complicated! Huffing slightly, she walked off in a random direction towards Kaoru's favorite coffee shop. 'After all, No one said I couldn't spy on them to make sure they do it right' she thought with a smirk.
Kaoru led Kenshin through the mall to her favorite coffee shop and they sat down in the past. Both took a moment to let all the memories that had occurred here. She sighed. All the good times. She really hoped this was the right thing.
"Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin looked at her with a questioning gaze. It suddenly seemed so much more intense than his usual look. It was as if he was trying to look down to her very soul. She smiled "I have a really big lot to say Kenshin. And I'm not very good with my words. So please. Let me speak until the end otherwise I'm sure I'll lose the will to tell you half way" She said looking away.
He just nodded before realizing she wasn't looking at him and replying "Of course, Kaoru-dono" That got her to look at him. "I told you to stop calling me Kaoru-dono! Stop distancing me Kenshin. I'm sick of it! We have been friends for so long. I just want us to be able to speak to each other and trust each other!" She took a breath in and held up her hand when he opened his mouth to speak.
He promptly closed his mouth and nodded. " Kenshin, you agree we've been friends for so long right? So it's only natural that I trust you so much right?" She looked at him and he nodded. " Well…what I wanted to say was…Kenshin…I uhm, Ireallyreallyloveyou" She finished quickly under her breath.
He looked at her blankly. "What?" She bit back the sudden tears that pricked at the corners of her eyes. "Never mind, I just thought that-". She was cut off by the red-head shaking his head and saying softly "I really didn't hear you Kaoru" She looked up, slightly teary-eyed. "You didn't…?"
He shook his head. "Now let's try that again. Say the last bit again. Please" He said with his most charming smile. She took a deep breath in and said as slowly as she could. "I'm. In. Love. With. You."
His smile never fell as she expected it to. In fact she could have sworn it got wider. He reached his hand over and took her hand gently in hers. "You took your time Kaoru" He replied brushing his lips lightly against her hand.
She stared at him. "I – WHAT!?" He chuckled slightly. " You… YOU KNEW!?" she exclaimed incredulously. This time he laughed. "Everyone knew, koshii" He replied smiling at her. She blushed. "Everyone…?" She asked, her tone meek. "This entire thing was set up to get you to confess" He replied looking slightly bothered by his own statement. "For the record, I was completely against this. It was all Tomoe's idea"
She gaped. She just stared at him, her jaw dropped. Her sweet, innocent older sister's idea? When had she even told Tomoe how she felt about Kenshin. " But-But your engagement?" She asked still in shock. He looked at her smiling slightly. "All Tomoe's idea. She felt it would help you. And I quote 'Come out of your shell and tell the truth'" he said looking over at her.
"Are you okay with all this?" He asked concern shining through those purple orbs. Was she okay with this? What the hell! She'd basically been tricked! Tricked by her own sister! She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Kaoru?" He said gently. No response. "Kaoru-koi?" He stroked her cheek lightly.
*SMACK* Her hand connected solidly with his cheek. " Himura Kenshin, You are the most deceitful, idiotic, moronic friend I ever had!" She yelled standing up with her hands on her hips looking ready to release the fury of hell on him. "Oro…" He eeped slightly looking afraid for his life.
And then she started laughing and crying at the same time. And she threw herself at him. "I'll get you back one of these days mister!" She said hugging him tight. He just held her close, breathing in the jasmine perfume that uniquely followed Kaoru around. He tilted her head up and leaned down to kiss her before having his face promptly pushed away.
"Oro?"
"We have to get revenge first!"
"Oro…"
Kaoru arrived home with Kenshin in tow and slammed the door open. "I'm HOMEEEE" She sang out cheerily. Kenshin looked over at her and wondered how far he'd get if he ran now. An angry Kaoru was a scary Kaoru…Maybe Tomoe'd calm her down. And then maybe he'd finally get to kiss her.
Tomoe walked down the stairs gracefully. And noted how Kaoru was now holding Kenshin's hand. 'Thank god that girl finally did something' She mused happily. "Kaoru-chan. I hope your day was pleasant" She said quietly.
"Oh It was nee-san! And you'll never guess what I discovered!" She replied still as chipper as ever. Tomoe raised an eyebrow before replying "Oh the little plot I'd set down?" Kaoru nearly fell over in shock. "You're not even trying to deny it?!" She asked indignantly, her eyes betraying her mock anger.
She simply flicked her hair back and said "Why bother? It worked didn't it?" Kaoru gaped at her sister. "You have been spending WAY too much time with Megumi!" She replied stunned. Her sister smiled. "Kaoru-chan, I hope you and Kenshin find true happiness" She said still smiling. "Why are you saying it like you're not going to be here or something?" Kaoru mumbled slightly looking through her bangs at her sister.
"Tomoe-san?" Tomoe heard Kenshin call slightly. She laughed slightly. "It wasn't to be Kenshin. My calling is elsewhere. Kaoru-chan" She touched her little sister's cheek "I am returning to London to finish my degree. I hope you do not think I am abandoning you" She said quietly, willing herself to be strong. If she stayed, she might destroy their chances. She knew the risk. It was one she wasn't willing to take.
"But Tomoe…" Kaoru trailed off as she hugged her older sister. "I'm not leaving for another two weeks so stop acting as if it's today I'm going!" She said hugging Kaoru back. For now she'd be content watching them happy together. It'd help forget her own pain.
Hum, that ended up a bit odd. I don't know really. Tell me what you think! Review po =]
Blue
