Note: I am not using any Japanese in this fic (as much as I would like to),other than a few honorifics. I do carefully research any Japanese I ever use in any of my stories to make sure I use it correctly, and I am trying to learn the language (slowly). I wasn't going to use any, but there are a few things I like that I wanted to use here. I hope I did it right, if I make mistakes I would appreciate any help to correct them. Also, don't expect the characters to be exactly the way they are portrayed in the manga or anime. I did adjust some personalities, not hugely, but some, so please, try not to remind me that they shouldn't act that way. I know. I needed to make those changes (and I do try not to go overboard-if I seem to be doing that, do let me know). One last thing, I am not a professional writer, nor do I pretend to be, but I have tried to at leasteleminate grammer and spelling problems, at the least. If you should catch some glaring problem, please let me know so that I can fix it. (thank you to Anonymous but very interested- I did fix those problems, are they better now?).
Disclaimer: I don't like it, but RK isn't mine. Neither is Echoes. (The book that inspired this, and where I pulled many ideas (events, not really the plot itself) for this first chapter (and a few other places in the story later) I don't like that either.
………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………..
Chapter 1
"Kenshin?" Kaoru called out. "Would you like popcorn or chips?"
Kenshin, looked up from the movie they had been watching together, just now realizing that Kaoru had gotten up from the couch and was in the kitchen. He hadn't really been watching, more like getting caught up in his thoughts. He'd had a hard life, but whenever he was with Kaoru, things seemed so much brighter and he had been thinking about her again.
"Popcorn is okay, Kaoru-dono."
"Alright."
Several minutes later Kenshin watched as Kaoru came into the room with the promised treat.
"I hope you don't mind, it's microwave popcorn, if I tried anything else I would probably ruin it!" She grinned, knowing he would understand.
He gave her a small half smile when she handed him a bowl and sat down next to him.
Kaoru gave an inward sigh to herself. Kenshin didn't really smile very often. He was so solemn all the time, much like Aoshi, her best friend Misao's boy friend, and one of her own closest friends. She giggled a bit at the thought of Kenshin and Aoshi in the same room alone. Would anything ever be said? Would they even look at each other? She loved Aoshi like a brother, but he was just so serious about everything. Then again, perhaps it was a perfect match. They had seemed to get along the last time he and Misao had come with her to Kyoto, though they had never been left alone long enough to really tell.
"What's so funny?" Kenshin asked when he heard her laugh.
"Nothing." Kaoru mumbled, waving off his question and trying not to laugh even more at his perplexed expression.
Kenshin just shrugged lightly and dismissed it as one of the many little quirks that made Kaoru, Kaoru.
Kenshin studied Kaoru discreetly as she tried to contain her laughter. He never could get enough of her. Not in the two years he had known her. She was beautiful. Long black lashes, sapphire eyes that sparkled when she smiled, satiny black hair that was as long as his, a gorgeously trim body, a wonderful sense of humor, a magnificent personality, in other words she was perfect. And absolutely not for him. He'd always been attracted to her, but recently, he couldn't seem to stop the thoughts of her from flooding through his mind. However, someone so amazing and perfect would never want someone as broken and flawed and stained as him. Besides, he could never allow her to be tainted by him. He knew all this, so he always admired her from afar, kept the relationship between them as just friends. It was more than he deserved but he couldn't stop himself from wanting or needing at least that much. At any rate, he should be grateful it was in her personality to be outgoing and friendly. She was such a people person. She needed people around, and he was just lucky enough that he was one of those people.
"Are you sure it's nothing?" Kenshin asked again a few minutes later as Kaoru was still trying had to contain her laughter.
"Yes!" Kaoru insisted. "I'm sorry, I was just imagining you and Aoshi in a room together, alone, with neither Misao nor I to help a conversation along! I know it's not that funny, but I just can't help it!"
Kenshin looked at her then just shook his head. She was right, it was an amusing thought, but was it really that funny? Kenshin guessed he would just never understand her.
After the movie was over Kaoru went into the kitchen and started cleaning.
"You don't have to do that." Kenshin told her as he put the bowls that had held their popcorn into the sink.
"I know. But won't Hiko-san and Michiko-san be coming home soon? She'll flip if it isn't clean in here."
"It's alright, I can do it, and they won't be coming back to Kyoto for another month. Besides, Shishou always calls before he arrives. Michiko-dono insists on it. She says it isn't nice to surprise me." He told her, then muttered, "Although he thinks surprises are very funny."
Kaoru laughed at his slightly disgruntled expression. She knew Hiko Seijiro had a very strange sense of humor and he loved teasing her red-headed friend. However, she also knew that Hiko cared a lot about Kenshin and he never did or said anything that would truly hurt him. After all, Michiko, Hiko's wife, would never allow it, besides, this was their home (well one of them), and it was Hiko's idea for Kenshin to stay here. She knew that much, but nothing of where Kenshin came from. Kenshin never talked about his past, or even much about himself. What she did know about him had come from their time spent together doing things.
They both like kenjutsu, but he was much better. She knew that after trying to spar with him. He had refused at first then she had attacked him, trying to force him into it. It worked for a minute and she saw the way he moved. It was beautiful but with a deadly grace she had to admit she couldn't match. When he had seen the stunned expression on her face, he stopped, and told her he couldn't anymore. Silly Kenshin, he was so afraid of hurting or scaring her. But why, she didn't know.
They both enjoy reading the same books, watching the same movies, and trying new places to eat. The both enjoy running. He could draw, very well. In fact that was how he made his living. Hiko had prodded him into finishing his high school degree, which for some reason that she did not know he had not done and now he was a free lance artist. He designed logos, pamphlets, or whatever else might be needed for companies. He was very good at it too and currently had as much work as he could handle. Those are the kind of things she knew about Kenshin. Nothing very personal.
That was okay though. It was all they needed to enjoy their time together. They did whatever came to them, usually whatever she wanted, when she visited. They always had fun together.
……………………………………………………………………….
"Okay, do one hundred more swings and then you can be done for the day." Kaoru called out to her students.
It was her last class of the day and she was tired. She couldn't wait to get home and take a shower. She'd had two private lessons that morning and three classes that afternoon, plus her own practice time. That took a lot out of a person, but she loved every minute of it.
After her students left, she went to her office to finish a bit of paperwork. Her dojo was doing well and her father would be pleased to see how many students there were now. Her father and mother had been away for six months now, on an extended and well earned vacation, having left his company in the good hands of his partner and friend, Hiko Seijiro.
Just thinking about that man made Kaoru want to laugh. He was so arrogant and full of himself most the time. Well, at least that was what one would assume upon first meeting him. But if you could tolerate his attitude long enough to get to know him (which isn't possible if he decides you aren't worth his time) then there was a fascinating and very likeable man underneath.
Her father, Kamiya Koshijiro, and Hiko, as most everyone called him, had been friends since they were in high school. They had found they both had a love of the sword, but used very different styles, and had argued so often about the differences in their respective styles that they ended up being friends. It was a strange way to start a friendship, but they had discovered so much about each other through their arguments that it resulted in building a large amount of respect between the two. Friendship was inevitable.
After finishing collage, they went into business together. They were very successful and had expanded to several different countries. They kept things running from their two main offices in Tokyo and Kyoto. Kaoru's father headed the one in Tokyo, and Hiko the one in Kyoto.
Kaoru had finished her bachelor's degree in teaching, but more than anything she had wanted to have her own dojo and teach the style swordsmanship that her father had taught her while she was growing up. So she finished her training with her father and he had helped her start this dojo a year and a half ago. She now had a total of seventy-three students, and she couldn't be happier. She was often even getting invitations to teach in other dojo's, some being as far away as Kyoto. She loved getting those ones. It meant that she could spend time with Kenshin
She finished her paperwork and was about to leave when her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"KAORU!" A voice squealed and Kaoru had to hold the phone away from her ear to avoid going deaf. "I'M SO GLAD YOU"RE STILL THERE!"
"Hello to you to Misao and you don't need to yell I can hear you just fine!"
"Oh! Sorry! It's just I am so glad I caught you, I was afraid you had already left and I wanted to catch you before that because we are so close and I didn't want you to be gone when we got there and I don't think I'm making much sense am I?"
"As much as you ever do." Kaoru laughed good-naturedly, pleased to hear from her friend. "So what is it you need?"
"Well we are all going out to Sano's to go swimming then we are going to go watch the fireworks. Want to come? Aoshi and I are nearby; we can pick you up right now if you like!"
Kaoru had to think about it for a minute. She had been looking forward to a nice relaxing shower, then sitting down and reading a book, but how could she say no to going out with friends? In the end it wasn't a hard decision. With the choice of being alone verses being with people, she'd take people anytime.
"Tell you what, Misao. I really need to shower and I don't have my swimsuit with me, so how about I meet you at Sano's in a half hour. Okay? I don't need long."
"Oh, I already thought of that, I brought an extra swimsuit and an extra change of clothes for later, and I don't think Sano will mind letting you use his shower! Okay? Okay. Well we're right outside, so come on out now. We can drop you off here after the fireworks so you can get your car."
Kaoru just shook her head in defeat and smiled. "Okay Misao, I'll be right out!"
……………………………………………………….
Kenshin sat there, incomprehension written all over his face, while his doctor watched him with sympathy.
"Would you like some time alone? Is there anyone you would like me to call for you, Kenshin?" Doctor Nanami asked him.
Kenshin just shook his head in response.
"A tumor?"
"Yes. It's operable, like I said, and we won't know if it is malignant or benign until we can get a sample to the lab. I could do a biopsy, but since I have to operate in the first place, I'd like to try to get the whole mass at once."
Kenshin thought for a moment. A tumor! With all the drugs and killing he had done in the past, that was a way out he had never even thought about, but would have welcomed just a few short years ago. Now that he was actually trying to get on with his life, and found good reasons to live, this came. Funny how life worked wasn't it?
"If it is malignant?" Kenshin asked.
"I will be trying to remove the entire mass, and if I can't, chemotherapy is an option that we will definitely try. It isn't pleasant, but it is often successful. If that doesn't work then we can discuss a few other options."
"And if it is benign?"
"Then after I remove the mass, we sew you back up and you should be fine. Of course I will monitor you for the next few years, but I don't believe anything else will happen."
Doctor Nanami watched Kenshin with concern for a few moments while he tried to process the information. Then spoke softly to him.
"We can schedule the surgery as soon as you feel ready. I can even do it this Friday. I can clear whatever commitments I have to get to you first."
"Do I have to have the surgery? Is there no other way to remove it?"
"No, surgery is the best option." She pointed to the golf ball sized white spot on the x-ray. "As I said we won't know if it is malignant or benign until we remove it. Would you like some time to think about it?"
"No let's schedule the surgery."
……………………………………………………………………..
Later that night, Kenshin sat with his phone in hand. He could do this. After several tries he managed to dial the whole number.
"Hi, this is Kaoru, I'm sorry I can't answer the phone right now…."
He hung up with a sigh. Maybe he would try later but for now he decided to just try to sleep.
……………………………………………………
Kaoru flopped on her couch with a sigh. She loved to do things with her friends, but they could really wear her out! It was late and she wanted to just go to bed but she decided to check her messages first. If her parents had called she knew she should all them back as soon as she could.
She picked up her phone and started going through the recent numbers on her caller id. She idly took note of a few students who had called. Then one number caught her eye. Kenshin had called! Kenshin never called. She always called him when ever she was going to be in town so they could get together, but in the two years they had known each other he had never called her. Could something be wrong? She went to her answering machine to see if he had left a message, but there were only two new messages and neither was from him. Wouldn't he have left a message if it were an emergency? She thought for a moment and then realized that she didn't really know what he would do. He was such a private person and he always avoided very personal questions. She had long since decided to let him have his privacy and just enjoyed the things they had in common when they got together.
Kaoru figured the best way to find out what he called for was to just return his call. Looking at the time he called she noticed that it was only a half hour before and it should be okay to call back now, so she did.
"Hello?" His voice sounded slightly groggy and Kaoru recognized she had woken him.
"I'm sorry, Kenshin, I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay, I don't mind."
"I just saw that you had called, and I was wondering if everything was alright."
There was a pause before Kenshin answered her.
"I, um, yes… well… not really, no. Kaoru I went to the doctor today. I found out I have a tumor."
"Oh Kenshin, can it be removed?"
"Yes. Well at least my doctor thinks so. I go in for surgery on Friday."
Kaoru thought for a moment. That was three days away, that would give her enough time to cancel her classes and find someone to substitute for the next week.
"Have you called Hiko-san and Michiko-san? They will want to know."
"No, I don't want to bother them with this."
"Kenshin!" Kaoru exclaimed. "Call them! Trust me, they will want to know, and you won't be bothering them. I think they would be hurt if you didn't call them. Look, I will be there soon; I just have to take care of a few things with my classes. Okay?"
"You don't have to come down, Kaoru. I just wanted to let you know."
"I know I don't have to come down, Kenshin. I want to come. I want to be there for you. You are my friend. I like you Kenshin."
"I like you too Kaoru" Kenshin replied so quietly she almost missed it and the even quieter, "a lot."
She was stunned. He never said things like that, and he didn't add the honorific!
"I take it from your silence I surprised you." Kenshin said to her when she didn't reply.
"Yes you did, Kenshin. That's okay, though. I'm glad you told me. I will see you in a day or so, okay?" Kaoru was so happy, maybe he would finally start opening up to her!
"Thank you, Kaoru-dono."
"Your welcome Kenshin, now go back to sleep, good bye for now." Kaoru replied, suppressing a sigh at the quick return of the 'dono'.
"Good night Kaoru-dono."
…………………………………………………………………
After talking to Kaoru, Kenshin thought about what he would say to Hiko when he called him.
He remembered when Hiko had picked him up off the streets. He had been lying in a gutter somewhere in Kyoto, high and with a bullet wound in his leg after a 'mission' gone wrong. He remembered being shot by the gang leader he had been sent to kill. He had killed him right after and barely managed to escape. He hadn't been able to make it back to his gang's hideout, instead, falling limply on the side of the street. He had decided to shoot up right there, hoping to take away the pain in his leg and the memory of him killing. He overdosed in his anxiety to loose himself in the drug. That's how Hiko found him.
Later, while he was in the hospital, Hiko came in and told that after he got out of rehab for the drug use, he would stay with him and his wife. Hiko was big and very intimidating, and Kenshin hadn't dared to go against him.
It was also Hiko who gave him the name he went by now, Kenshin. In the gang he had been involved with, he had been called Shinta at first then Battousai later. Neither of which were his real name, he couldn't remember his real name, so Hiko gave him one that wouldn't be connected with his past.
Hiko had even been kind enough to start giving him formal instruction in kenjutsu, having seen the results of his 'missions'. He had seen that Kenshin had loved the sword and, in seeing his form, told him it was terrible and proceeded to...fix… it. That usually meant he beat him into the ground, but Hiko was careful to never really hurt him and Kenshin knew it. Kenshin had grown to really respect the man and in return taken to calling him Shishou. Hiko never discouraged it, actually (Kenshin thought) he rather liked it.
Hiko had done a lot for Kenshin and Kaoru was right, Hiko would want Kenshin to call him, so, shaking his head to pull himself out of the memories, he picked up the phone to call Hiko.
………………………………………………………
One hour before his surgery Kenshin's hospital room was filled with people. He sat on the bed watching the group gathered there with mixed feelings. He was pleased, confused, embarrassed, scared and he didn't know what else. Kaoru had been correct when she had said that Hiko and Michiko would want to know what he was going through. When Hiko had heard about his plight he had gone out and hired the best neurosurgeon in Japan to assist in the surgery. However Doctor Nanami would still perform the actual surgery.
Hiko and Michiko were here, as was Kaoru. But really surprised him were the three of Kaoru's friends from Tokyo who had come as well. He had met them a few times before when they had come with Kaoru to Kyoto. Kaoru had told him that they had really wanted to meet him. He had gotten along fine with them, but why would they come now? They weren't really his friends, were they? Yet there they were, standing here in his hospital room. Sanosuke, Misao, and even Aoshi!
"So Kenshin, does your head feel a lot lighter without all that hair? At least you will be nice and cool for the summer!" Misao didn't like the depressing atmosphere in the room and tried to lighten things up.
Kenshin's head had been shaved in preparation for the surgery and even though he thought he looked terrible like that, he laughed softly at Misao's comment, grateful for her effort.
"Yea, a lot lighter, I didn't know how much it really weighed till they took it of."
"So, did you keep some? You could have a doll made and use your hair on it." Misao continued, encouraged by his positive reaction.
"Actually, he donated it. There is a foundation here at the hospital that makes wigs for cancer patients. His hair was perfect for that." Kaoru answered for Kenshin.
"Oh, that's so nice!" Misao nearly squealed. "You are so thoughtful, Kenshin!"
"Well, I wasn't using it anymore." Kenshin mumbled, embarrassed at the attention.
"Hey, Kenshin" Sanosuke spoke up. "Megumi wanted me to tell you that she really wanted to be here. She had a unfortunately she had a major exam that they wouldn't let her postpone. She says she is sorry, but she wishes you the best."
Kenshin looked down, feeling completely overwhelmed.
"Thank you." He managed to choke out through his constricted throat.
"Alright, get out of here, all of you!" Hiko decided to shoo them all out, after being nudged discretely by his wife, so he could talk to Kenshin, and he could tell that Kaoru would like to have a moment alone with Kenshin too.
"Are you okay, Kenshin?" Michiko asked Kenshin after the others had left her, Hiko and Kenshin alone in the room.
"Mi, of course he's not okay, he's going in for surgery. Who likes that? It's a royal pain in the neck!" Hiko looked at Kenshin, and then smirked a bit, "Or I guess in his case, a pain in the head!"
Michiko rolled her eyes at her husband's words.
"Sorry Kenshin, you'll have to forgive his sense of humor today, if you don't mind. He's been acting a bit out of sorts lately and it has affected his sense of humor. What I meant is, are you okay with all your visitors?"
Michiko knew Kenshin's shy nature, and reluctance to be around many people. Only she and Hiko knew about his past, and understood why he acted that way. She could also see that he had become overwhelmed with so many in the room at a time, and it couldn't be good for one about to go through surgery to become agitated. That was what was likely to happen with too many in the room for to long.
"It's okay, Michiko-dono. Although I am surprised they would come, I think it's kind of… nice." Kenshin admitted softly, then he added with a small smile, "And I won't let Shishou's jokes bother me as long as you make him promise to give my head long enough to recover after the surgery, before he starts trying to beat it in with a sword again."
Hiko smirked widely and allowed himself a short laugh, to hide to worry he felt.
"See Michiko, he's fine, just as he will be later. This boy is too stubborn to allow himself not to be."
Michiko just shook her head.
"Come on you big idiot. Let's leave him alone, I think there is a certain someone outside who would like to talk to him for a bit."
With that she led Hiko out and shooed Kaoru in.
……………………………………..
"You can come all the way in, Kaoru-dono. It's alright, things will be okay." Kenshin told her when, after Michiko let her in and shut the door, she stayed right by the door looking very nervous. Kaoru, Kenshin knew, did not like hospitals. They reminded her of the time her mother almost died after a bad accident.
Oh, Kenshin, that's so like you. You, trying to comfort me when it should be the other way around, always thinking of others before yourself. You don't have to hide from me how you're feeling, I'll listen."
Kenshin just smiled softly at her and they settled into a comfortable silence for a few minutes.
"Kaoru-dono, I hope you don't mind me asking, but, why did your friends come?" It had been bothering him since they had arrived.
"Silly! They think of you as a friend too, you know."
"They couldn't think that. How could they? I have only met them a few times, and only when you brought them with you here to Kyoto." He couldn't believe they could think of someone as unworthy as him as a friend. Of course he couldn't believe that someone as wonderful as Kaoru could consider him a friend, much less want to spend as much time with him as she does.
"Of course they do! You don't have to see them all the time for them to consider you a friend. They care about you, that's why they're here, friends always support friends!"
Kenshin just shook his head in disbelief, and then gave her another smile. He seemed to always smile more when she was around.
"Kaoru-dono, I just want to tell you how much your friendship has meant to me and that I appreciate all that you have done, in case anything happens…I mean, well, if I, during the surgery…"
"No Kenshin, don't!" Kaoru nearly cried. "You will be fine, and I'll be right here by your side when you come out afterward, I promise!"
Kenshin took her hand, wanting to keep her from crying and willing to do anything to make her happy.
"Alright Kaoru-dono," He said softly as she smiled in happy surprise at the rare act, now, if she could just get rid of the 'dono'…
…………………..
"How long is it going to take?" Misao complained after the first two hours.
"Misao, it will take about twelve hours, at least, so why don't you, Aoshi, and Sano go back to Hiko's? I'll call you when he's out."
"You could come with us, you know. He'll probably be sleeping for a while after anyway." Misao urged her friend. "Besides, you look so tired, you should try to get some sleep."
"NO! I promised him I'd be here when he was through, and I don't want him to wake up and be alone!" Kaoru insisted.
"Fine, then I'll stay here too." Misao told her stubbornly. "Aoshi and Sano can go."
"No, we will all stay." Interrupted Sano, looking at Aoshi, who nodded slightly in conformation. "Besides someone has to see to it you get some sleep, Jou-chan."
Kaoru smiled at them with teary eyes.
"Well, if you're sure, then thank you, I appreciate the company."
"No problem!" Sano told her, then he paused, "Um, I don't mind saying, but first, we need to eat!" He grinned.
"How about you and Aoshi go down to the cafeteria and bring something back for all of us?" Misao suggested.
Agreeing, the two left, leaving Misao and Kaoru alone.
Misao looked at Kaoru for a minute.
"So, when is Hiko-san coming back?" Hiko had left shortly after Kenshin had been wheeled into surgery.
"He said that he'd be back in a few hours. I know he had some things to take care of, and Michiko went home to take a nap. She wanted to stay, but Hiko-san made her go. He told her that staying here would do neither her nor the baby any good." Kaoru laughed despite her anxious mood. "Ever since he found out Michiko-san was pregnant he has been a bit… well, obsessive about protecting her, especially from herself, it seems. He never lets her overexert herself. It's actually funny to watch."
The girls sat and talked until Sano and Aoshi returned with the food. After they had eaten, Misao and Kaoru laid down on the couches to try to sleep for a while, using the guys' laps as pillows. Kaoru tossed and turned for a while, then sat up after Sano protested.
"Geez Jou-chan, you need to relax."
"I know Sano, but I can't help but worry and I can't settle down. I'm sorry."
"Hey it's alright. Here, why don't we play a game for awhile." He pulled out a deck of cards and waved them in offering.
Kaoru grinned sat down on the floor with him, "Okay! Thanks Sano, you're the best."
The played for sometime before Misao woke allowing her and Aoshi to join them.
They played until Kaoru fell asleep on the floor. Sano picked her up and laid her on the couch.
"I knew she was tired, she just needed a good distraction. She hasn't gotten much sleep the past few days because she has been worried about Kenshin." Misao whispered as Sano sat down to resume their game. They played until Sano was too tired, then while he went to sleep, Misao and Aoshi read.
Kenshin had been in surgery about ten hours by the time Kaoru awoke.
"Hey Sano," Misao shook him awake.
"Hmm?" He replied sleepily.
"Do you want to go get us something to eat again? I'll buy this time."
This woke him. "Sure." He noticed Kaoru was awake. "Hey Jou-chan, why don't you come with me?"
"I can't. I need to be here."
"Oh, come on. It's just the cafeteria, we won't even leave the hospital, besides, it will do you good to get out of this waiting room for awhile, and we won't be gone long." He persisted.
Kaoru relented and they left.
"She really cares about Kenshin, doesn't she?" It was more a statement than a question, but Aoshi answered anyway.
"Aa. And, if I'm not mistaken, he cares much for her."
"Really? Oh, I hope they get together! They'd look so good together and I bet she could get him to really smile!" Misao laughed and Aoshi nodded in agreement.
They didn't know Kenshin well, but not even Kaoru knew him well, and she had spent the most time with him. However, they had begun to think of him as a part of their group, and cared for him as such.
"When Kaoru first told us about him I wasn't sure I'd like him. I mean, he sounded so cold. But, I'm glad we met him. It's too bad he won't move to Tokyo, though. I think it would be good for him to be around us more, Don't you think, Aoshi?"
Aoshi gave his girlfriend a smile, something he only did for her, and every now and then, his closest friends.
"Of course, Misao." He waited for her to grin at his agreement, as he knew she would, before adding, "But you know, you used to say that I was to cold too."
She looked surprised, then laughed. "Yep, I did! I'm glad I was wrong, though!"
A bit later Kaoru and Sano returned and they ate and played more games until finally, the doctor came out.
"How is he?" Kaoru asked anxiously.
"He's fine, but he's sleeping now, and probably will the rest of the night. However, you may see him if you like." Doctor Nanami told them. "But only one at a time, please."
They followed the doctor to the room where Kenshin had been moved to recover.
"Go on, Kaoru." Misao urged her. "We can wait until later, after he's awake."
"Why don't you go to Hiko-san's now, since he's out, and come back in the morning?" Kaoru suggested. "I am going to stay in here with him until he wakes anyway."
They agreed and left her alone with Kenshin.
…………………………………………………….
Kaoru woke when she felt something shift. She looked up and realized she had fallen asleep with her head on Kenshin's bed, and it was Kenshin who had shifted. She waited, hoping he was going to wake up.
As she saw that he was trying to open his eyes, she rang the call button to alert the doctor, so there would be someone to help if he woke in pain. She smiled as his beautiful amethyst eyes came into view.
"Hi." Kaoru said softly. "I'm glad you're awake, I thought you might sleep forever." She teased gently.
Kenshin made a move like he was trying to sit up.
"Here, let me." Kaoru told him and she pushed the button to raise the bed.
"Oh, good, you're awake." Said Doctor Nanami who had just come in. "How are you feeling?"
Kenshin tried to answer, but his throat was to dry to do more than let out a little croaking sound.
The doctor quickly handed him a glass of ice chips that she had brought in with her and started checking his bandages.
"Well, I have good news! The tumor was benign, so all we need to do is let you recover from the surgery for a few days, and you can get out of here." Doctor Nanami paused when Kenshin didn't respond and glanced at him before continuing to check up on him. "Are you in pain Kenshin?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm a bit confused." Kenshin said with a small frown. "I don't know who you are."
…………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………
I hope this will interest some readers. I'd appreciate you letting me know what you think.
I will be trying to update this everyweek or two, I might alternate between this and my other story depending on how fast I type. My thoughts flow much faster than my fingers do over the keyboard, and I also can't neglect my girls, husband, house, or any other obligations that come up. If that means I stay up really late writing, I will. I am excited about writing this story and I have most of it planned out, I just have to write it in story form. I hope you enoy it!
Oh, I want to thank DragonWolfStar, akisu-san, andAnonymous but very interested for reviewing. It was much appreciated!