Disclaimer: …do I really have to say anything?
Chapter 2: Budding Emotions
Kenshin sat down in his chair with a sigh of relief. Kenji was finally in bed, sleeping soundly, and the house was finally all his. Kami-sama knew he loved spending time with his son, but with work demanding most of his attention during the day, and the rest going towards him at home, he really needed this time to think by himself.
Mainly, he realized, about the blue-eyed, care-free girl who had stolen the heart of his son. A month ago they had accidentally met at the restaurant, and he had unintentionally hurt her feelings. He smiled briefly at the payment she had demanded, which had only turned out to be that he back up his words and prove that he could push her on the swing. Between her and Kenji he'd nearly worn himself out running back and forth with their encouraging yells for more.
Truthfully, he had to admit that he had been a little worried about the so called payment she had wanted out of him. At the time he had thought she would turn out to be a lot shallower than she was. Now he knew that he was only insulting her further with the thought alone.
At least now he knew why the mention of her gender had upset her so badly. His mind abruptly shifted back to her reaction at his tease. Eventually she had told him about her father's dojo and the trouble she'd had four years earlier when she'd taken over. There were still times now when her teaching was questioned, but it was usually only from newer students. The grin she had given him then still made him laugh. Apparently those new students learned their place quickly, after she soundly beat them into the ground that is.
Working at the Akabeko had turned out to be a side job to help with the expenses. Kenshin had felt a surge of pride and admiration at this admission. Obviously she did not like relying on anyone else, and worked hard to keep all she had all her own. This, at least, destroyed any lingering doubts in his mind about her motives. Kaoru was such an open and honest person that he doubted she could ever lie to him anyway. This fact alone made her all the more appealing in his eyes.
So what was he hoping for? That she would want him along with the boy? It seemed such an impossibility. Especially since she only showed politeness and the occasional mischievousness towards him. Hell, she didn't even use his first name when she addressed him, no matter how many times he asked her to. It was like she was determined to keep some kind of distance between them. Even if she swore that it was only because Kenshin-san didn't sound right, and she wouldn't just call him Kenshin because it was too disrespectful.
Maybe she really doesn't like me.
Kenshin shook his head in frustration. I shouldn't be entertaining any feelings for her anyway. She's eleven years younger than me, has a whole life ahead of her, and doesn't need somebody with a kid weighing her down. Though he admitted they already took up almost all of her free time.
Kaoru spent every afternoon she could with Kenji, and then every Saturday and Sunday she didn't have to work with the both of them. Belatedly he realized that she could be a little irritated that she had no time to herself for any friends she had, or boyfriends for that matter. Frowning, something sour rolled over in his stomach. It was strangely unnerving to think of somebody touching her intimately. No one is good enough for her. No one should be allowed to touch her in such ways. That innocent, child-like personality is too pure to be stained by some jerk only out looking for something her beautiful, slim body could give him.
Kenshin sighed again at the direction his thoughts had taken. How had that girl bewitched him so quickly?
Stretching languidly, moaning at the cracks that worked up his spine, he dropped the matter in his mind. He really needed to get to bed anyway, he had an early morning to look forward to the next day and he was terribly lacking in sleep.
x
Kaoru sighed happily as she dunked herself fully into the bath of steaming water. Every one of her muscles ached, some in good ways, others in bad. Her morning workout had her body singing in a beautiful exhaustion by afternoon, but after she'd been at work for a few hours her body just felt plain worn out. Now close to eleven at night, her feet, back, legs, and shoulders felt like dead weights.
Letting herself drift freely in the water, she did the same with her tired mind. Not surprisingly it caught snuggly on a certain red-head. The boy was so starved for attention and love that she couldn't deny it to him. Though this meant that most of her time was spent with him and his father, she really had no objections. Misao did complain sometimes about her never going out anymore, but it wasn't like she had ever really enjoyed it too much anyway. Yeah she enjoyed being with Misao, and clubbing with her was always entertaining not to mention she loved to dance, it just seemed that every time they decided to do something her little friend would try to surprise her with another blind date. Kaoru was not interested in a love life like the kind that Misao had, which meant going through guys like she did hair ties. Kaoru snickered. This was something she would never understand when it came to her young friend. It wasn't like she slept with all of them, or any of them for that matter. Misao had told her long ago that she would only go farther with someone it felt right with. This was the only thing that they agreed on when it came to men. Otherwise, Misao had no problem playing the field to find Mr. Right.
Besides Misao her other friends weren't the type to want to go out, simply because they had jobs and careers to see to. Kaoru sighed, maybe she did miss her small social life, but she just couldn't seem to say no to the little fireball. And if she was going to be completely honest with herself, it wasn't only because of him.
Kaoru grinned ruefully. So she had a thing for red-heads. So what? Couldn't she admire the father without it being wrong? For God's sake, he was beautiful! With that hair and those curious violet eyes and the way he walked which cried of sword discipline, she just knew it did. That was the only reason she had even brought up her dojo in the first place. But no! He hadn't even hinted to the fact that he'd studied any time during his life. Just listened attentively like he always did when she spoke, with that half-amused, half-eager expression in his eyes. It was like he was taking all of it in willingly, but was still somewhat surprised and delighted that she was speaking at all. He was so confusing!
Kaoru felt the frustration build up again and almost tore her hair out. He always seemed so happy to see her, but was nothing more than polite and never spoke about himself, only Kenji. Though he never objected to her questioning him, he always neatly danced around anything pertaining to himself. It was almost like a game now; her trying to word questions so he'd have to answer and him always finding ways out of them. Always politely and humbly. She guessed she could just come out and demand he tell her, but that always seemed too rude.
One, the only, subject that he absolutely would not speak of was Kenji's mother. She had accidentally mentioned something about her being proud of her son at one point in time, and had regretted it ever since. The look on his face had sent cold chills down her spine. His jaw had hardened, his lips had thinned out, and those beautiful amethyst eyes had swirled with gold. He'd cryptically stated that he doubted it, confusing her immensely, and then refused to talk anymore about it. Kaoru had been too afraid to bring it up again.
Other then that one time he was painfully sweet but could turn playful in the blink of an eye. Only after she would get up enough courage to tease him though. That he made her nervous at all just showed how far she'd fallen for the man.
Kaoru sat straight up in the tub, sputtering to get the water out of her mouth and nose. No way! There was no way she was falling in love with him. A sharp jump in her chest made her biting her lip nervously. Ok, so she was. Slipping her fingers through her wet hair, she fisted them and pulled painfully. Aargh! What was she thinking? The man was older and far more attractive then she could handle. There was no way she could capture his attention in such a way, being the sweaty tomboy that she was. Guys like him went for women who were beautiful, graceful, and demur, and could probably cook. Kaoru made a face. So her cooking sucked, so what!
Sighing in exasperation, she let herself fall back into the water. What did it matter anyway? It wasn't like he saw her as anything but a playmate for his son. She couldn't even bring herself to call him by his first name. Though he had no problem when it came to hers. In fact he seemed to like her name, letting it roll off his tongue like he was caressing it.
Mou! I'm so confused!
Sighing again, she got out of the tub to dry off. She really needed to get some sleep.
x
Saturday morning came around like any other normal weekend. Kaoru slept in until nine, ate a late breakfast, then sat around and waited for the phone call she knew was coming.
At ten o'clock she wasn't disappointed.
"Kaoru-san?" It was Kenshin, of course.
"Yes, Himura-san?" Kaoru had to bite her lip to keep from giggling when he sighed in exasperation.
"Kenshin, it's Kenshin."
Waving a hand in the air nonchalantly, knowing full well he couldn't see it anyway, she answered back laughingly. "Yeah, yeah. So what are we doing today? The park or the zoo?"
Kaoru listened as he chuckled in amusement.
"I take it you are not busy today then?"
"Nope, my whole day is dedicated to you two."
"Are you sure? We have been monopolizing you lately."
"Don't worry about it. I have all the time in the world for the love of my life."
Kaoru had a full three seconds of blank thought before her words sunk in. Oh my God! Did I just say that out loud?! She barely got the thought out before she had to yank the phone away from her ear when there was a loud crash on the other end.
Tripping over one of the chairs around the dining room table, Kenshin dropped the phone trying to keep his balance, watching as it skidded across the floor. N-nani? Somehow he knew that the statement wasn't directed at him, but something about the way she said it made him wonder. Shaking his head he hurriedly scrambled after the phone, only to hear her worriedly asking for him on the other end.
"Y-yes, sorry, I'm still here."
"Oh good," a sigh drifted through the speaker, "I thought you had hung up on me."
"No, no. I'm afraid I tripped." Laughing nervously, Kenshin inwardly winced at the crazed way it sounded. "Clumsy me."
"Oh. Umm… you know I was talking about Kenji, right?" Right? She repeated in her mind, not knowing whether she wanted him to believe her or not.
"Oh, what? Yeah, yeah, of course you were." Kenshin laughed again to try and ease the thick uneasiness that had settled between them, but failed utterly as it too came out a little strained.
"Umm, so what did you want to do today?" Kaoru quickly filled the silence that threatened.
"Oh, well, I was thinking it was a beautiful day outside, but maybe a little too hot to spend it in the park. What would you say about going to the beach?"
Kaoru felt her jaw drop. Her in a bathing suit in front of this man? Wait a minute, her shock turned to humor and a latent excitement in a flash, he'd be wearing one too. Yay!
"Kaoru-san?"
Oh yeah, she was still on the phone.
"Yes?"
"Well? Would you like to go? Kenji's already packed and ready. We could come by and pick you up within the hour. I'll need directions, of course." Kenshin knew it was a low blow to bring Kenji into it, but he was willing to use every trick in the book to get her to come. Especially since he was going to get to see her in a swimming suit.
"Are you kidding? I'd love to go!" Kaoru giggled despite herself. Now that she thought about it, it had been a few years since she had been to the beach. Last time had been with her father actually.
Kenshin smiled at the childish innocence in her voice. Maybe this was a better idea than I originally thought. I'll have to start thinking of more ways to get her to laugh like that. Suddenly he really wished to see the smile that accompanied it.
"Good, now if you'll give me the address to your house I can leave now and you can get ready while you wait."
Kaoru readily agreed with this, gave him the directions, and then quickly said good-bye before running around the house to get ready. In her room she abruptly realized what a great chance this was for her to try and show that she wasn't always a tomboy. I mean, I can't exactly wear jeans and a t-shirt to the beach right? Giggling slightly to herself, she packed an extra set of clothing as well as a few towels and some sunscreen. As white as I am, I'll probably burn within the hour.
Now, what to wear… Nervously she looked between the two suits she owned. The one piece she had picked out because it was practical, and it covered more skin. It was a bit dull, though, only being straight black in color. The bikini Misao had picked out when she thought she was going to get to drag her to a beach party. Kaoru had blatantly refused when she had seen the revealing piece of cloth. Well, it isn't too bad, she admitted, and it does look good on me. The deep blue complimented her eyes and didn't make her look too washed out.
Biting her lip she put the blue one on, and then chose what to wear over it. Deciding to keep it simple and casual, she pulled out a white ankle length skirt that she had bought back in high school. The material was thin and flowing, making it cool enough to wear despite the length, and the three layers made it so it wasn't see-through. The top she chose to go with it was a medium tan, with no sleeves and a v-neck that showed her curves nicely, if she didn't think so herself.
Just as she was about to pull out her tan sandals to complete the outfit there was a knock at the door. Dropping her shoes twice, Kaoru hurried to answer, her hair trailing unbound behind her.
Opening the front door she found herself looking at her two favorite red-heads. Kenji jumped at the sight of her, hugging her knees and excitedly telling her good morning. Laughing and hugging him back, she offered Kenshin a bright smile before asking them in.
"I still have a couple things to get, so please make yourselves at home. It'll only take a sec."
Kenshin could only smile and nod in reply, intelligent speech evading him as he stared after her retreating figure. Kaoru never wore dresses, except at work where they were required, and he had never seen her with her hair down. Was there something I missed? Shaking his head forcefully, he answered himself. No, idiot, we're going to the beach, of course she'd want to wear something easy to remove.Before he could stop the thought, his mind approved of the notion, liking the thought of her wearing something easily removable. Dammit! Not like that! Stop torturing yourself.
Kaoru shakily shoved a few more things in her bag, making sure to grab a brush before pulling an elastic band around her wrist and slinging the bag over her shoulder. Walking back to the front where the guys were, she found Kenshin looking around at the traditional décor and wooden floors with interest.
"How long have you lived here?" His voice was curious, but he didn't look up from his inspection.
Kaoru walked over to him slowly, dropping the bag next to the door. "My whole life. Why?"
"Really?" Kenshin ignored her question.
"Yeah, the place kinda runs in the family, along with the style I teach. The dojo's just out back," she added conversationally, hoping to get more out of him about himself and his own interests.
Kenshin finally looked up at her, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't know you taught in your own home."
"Well," she shrugged, "It's more convenient then going somewhere across town just to teach."
"Hmm." His reply was nonchalant, his eyes moving away from her again. "Well, are you ready to leave?"
"Sure, unless you think we should pack some food. A picnic would actually be a great idea, that way we don't have to worry about standing in line in the sun."
Kenji chose that moment to pipe up. "We brought food Kaoru-san." Wrapping his arms around her legs again, he looked up at her with a bright smile, obviously pleased with himself. Kenshin laughed at his blatant struggle to keep the secret.
"Kenji," he admonished gently, "You weren't supposed to tell, remember?"
"Oh!" The little boy looked sheepish for a minute and slapped a hand over his mouth.
Kaoru laughed and rubbed a hand over his hair affectionately. "Keeping secrets? Well, don't worry, I'm still delightfully surprised."
Kenshin smiled in relief, though he sort of already knew it would be hard for Kenji to keep anything from the girl. Watching Kaoru bend to grab her bag, he hurried over and smoothly snatched it out of her hand.
"Hey, I can carry that myself, you know." The woman huffed in annoyance, shooting a glare at him.
Kenshin merely chuckled. "I know, but you've got your hands full already." He pointed down at Kenji who refused to detach himself from her skirt. Something she had already resigned herself to. She sighed. "Fine, I like this bundle better anyway." Reaching down she picked Kenji up, laughing when he shrieked in delight as she bounced him around playfully.
Kenshin walked out ahead of the pair, closing and locking the door behind them, smiling happily at the cute picture they made. She obviously loves the boy… she would make a great mother. Wistfully he wondered if he would ever get the chance to find out…
Lost in his thoughts he almost ran straight into her when he passed through the gates.
"Hurry up slowpoke," she teased.
"Huh?"
"You have the keys," she pointed out at his oblivious look.
"Oh, right." Scratching his head sheepishly, he hit a button on his key remote and unlocked the car doors and then another to pop the trunk for her bag. Coming around the side he found Kaoru strapping his son in carefully, while he giggled and watched her warily when she would 'accidentally' slip and tickle him.
"Come on you two, the beach will be full by the time we get there," he teased, chuckling when they both turned and stuck their tongues out at him. "Ganging up on me now? That's not fair."
"Get used to it." Kaoru shot back before shutting Kenji's door and opening her own to climb in next to him.
Kenshin waited until she was seat-belted in and the doors were locked before starting the car and driving off. In his mind he thought about what she could have meant by her last statement. Did that mean she would be around for awhile? Well duh, we're friends at the least by now. Of course she would be around, and we already spend a lot of time together. So what of it Himura? She was just teasing, get a grip! Stop reading into everything she says… and pay attention because she's talking to you now.
Kenshin looked over briefly to notice she was indeed waiting expectantly for him to reply.
"Sorry, I must not have heard you."
Kaoru sighed, well so much for thinking he liked listening to me. "Your car. I was just commenting on how nice it is."
"Umm… thank you," he replied uncertainly, noticing the sad look that had entered her eyes and feeling a blossom of panic start… What did I do wrong?!
"Must have been expensive?" Kaoru pushed hesitantly, trying once again to get him to talk about himself, but not really feeling up to the verbal dance at the moment.
"I guess so, but I wasn't too concerned with the cost as long as it was safe enough for Kenji to ride in."
There he went again, turning everything back around to Kenji. Kaoru almost tore out her hair in frustration.
"Do you buy anything for yourself?" Kaoru felt the words spill out, and then almost bit her tongue off at the rude tone and wording.
"Huh? Why?"
"Oh, I don't know, because you might want it," she finished harshly, throwing manners to the four winds and deciding that if she was going to dig herself a hole she might as well make it a good one.
"But there's nothing I want." The statement was quick, frantic, worried that she had guessed at what was really on his mind lately… the only thing he really wanted for himself. Mind distracted, he didn't notice the small flash of hurt in her eyes.
Kaoru couldn't help the hurt and disappointment that filled her at his words, even though she knew she had no right to. It wasn't like he hung around her for his sake, it was all for Kenji, the only person who would ever be important in his life. Just as she found this touching and endearing for such a quality to be in someone, it also irritated her a little. That he loved his son that much was amazing, but what was he going to do when his son grew up? How was the boy going to react when he started becoming independent? How would Kenshin? He wouldn't be able to take care of himself, simply because he didn't care about himself.
Well, I'll just have to do it for him, she thought, making a commitment to the older red-head without even realizing what she was thinking.
There was awkward silence for the next few hours that was only interrupted by Kenji's disjointed singing and excited exclamations at any new sight. Kaoru would raptly pay attention to his any whim, glad that she was wanted by one of them at the least. Kenshin sat in silence, lost in thoughts that could not be read by the vague expression on his face.
After weaving through traffic and finally making it out of town, it was almost eleven. Another hour of driving and Kenji started to get bored and letting the car know it.
"We're almost there Kenji; it won't be another thirty minutes."
"Ok," he sighed sulkily, feeling cranky, "but I have to pee."
Kenshin sighed at Kaoru's giggles. "The bathroom, Kenji, you have to go to the bathroom."
"Yeah, I have to go bathroom."
"Close enough."
"Me too." Kaoru piped up. "And I'm kinda thirsty."
Feeling very much like he had two children instead of just one, he found a gas station to stop at and pulled over. The car needs filled up anyway. Besides, we wouldn't have much fun if there was an accident in the car.
While Kenshin filled up the gas tank, Kaoru took Kenji into the store to the restroom.
"Will you be ok by yourself, Kenji?"
"Yeah, but," he fidgeted a little, hopping from foot to foot, "will you stay close?"
"Of course, sweetie, I'll be right here if you need me." Kaoru smiled at him reassuringly before he disappeared behind the door.
Kenshin came into the store, looking around for the bathrooms and the pair that had preceded him. Seeing them just walking away to the doors of the coolers, he walked up to the counter to wait.
"That's a cute little boy you have mister."
Kenshin turned to the clerk behind the counter. She was probably a teenager by the looks of her, what with the bright pink hair and piercings lining one ear. Kenshin smiled and thanked her politely.
"Your wife is probably the sweetest mother I've ever seen in awhile with a child that energetic. Usually their screaming at them by now."
"Oh, she's not my wife." Kenshin corrected hurriedly, wanting the girl to keep that suspicion to herself incase Kaoru heard her.
The girl simply raised an eyebrow at him. "Well, the boy's definitely attached to his mother then."
"But… she's only a friend." Kenshin sputtered out, horror filling him at the implication her words spoke of.
"Whatever." The girl blew him off, deciding the boys across the room were more interesting than arguing with him.
Curiosity now planted firmly in his mind, Kenshin found himself wondering if they truly looked like a family in everyone else's eyes. Turning to look at Kaoru patiently helping Kenji decide on a drink he caught her brush back his hair affectionately. Something he realized she did a lot. Kenji's silky, red hair was always falling into his eyes, but still he would refuse to let him cut it for him. Another thing he could relate to since his own hair was already way past the middle of his back. It probably had a lot to do with how nice it felt to have someone run their fingers through it. Or maybe it's because I'm lazy, he mused, since that hasn't happened for me in a long time… Not since my own mother I think. Tomoe never did really like his long hair. It was probably the only thing he had that he'd refused to let her change.
A laugh rang out from the corner where the group of boys were, pulling him out of his thoughts. Diverting his attention to them momentarily he found their eyes trained to the focus of his recent musings. Joking and shoving each other, they seemed to be trying to dare one of them to go over and talk to her, or at least that was what he hoped they wanted to do. If it was anything worse he would probably end up breaking a few fingers. At the least…
When one of them finally shoved away from the others he decided to save them the agony. Striding quickly across the store he cut the guy off smoothly, without making it look as desperate as he felt. Stopping beside Kaoru he absently wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned forward to look at the selection of drinks.
"Have you two found something you wanted yet?" Kenshin asked, smiling brightly at Kaoru's confused expression after picking out an iced tea of his own.
"I want that one Daddy." Kenji pointed to a juice too high up for him to reach. Seeing as Kenshin wasn't going to let go of her to get it for him, Kaoru grabbed the drink. Quickly handing it to the boy she reached out for an iced tea for herself then turned to walk to the counter. Kenshin obligingly walked with her, arm still firmly placed on her shoulders. Kaoru, feeling a little puzzled and maybe uncomfortable about the tight smile he wore, looked at his hand pointedly then back to his face, arching one eyebrow in question. Once again he merely smiled, so she turned away to Kenji who slipped his own hand into her free one, clearly happy about the whole situation and the closeness that they were all enjoying. Kenshin took this opportunity to slide a glare at the boy over his shoulder. Surprised at the amber tinge to the amethyst eyes, the boy backed away in a hurry, stumbling slightly into the aisle of candy.
Kenshin paid, ignoring Kaoru's small protest that she could get her own drink, before smiling wryly at the clerk's knowing smirk and walking out, one last glare of warning going to the boys watching warily from the corner. In the car Kaoru finally spoke up, but he had know it was unavoidable.
"What was that all about?" Thankfully she sounded more perplexed than angry. Probably not for long, he thought wryly.
"Just saving someone a trip to the hospital," he mumbled under his breath, then smiled disarmingly.
If anything her face looked even more confused. "Saving who? From what?"
"It doesn't matter. What would you like to listen to?" Kenshin reached forward to mess with the radio.
"Oh no, I will not let you get away with changing the subject this time." Kaoru crossed her arms stubbornly.
Kenshin sighed, not really wanting to tell. "The boys in the store."
"What about them?" Kaoru was even more confused now.
"I didn't know what they were doing, but it definitely had something to do with you. So I saved everyone the trouble of finding out."
Kaoru's eyebrows knitted together. "But you said you were saving someone from the hospital. Do you think that they meant to harm me… or Kenji?"
"I don't know, but that's not what I meant." Kenshin immediately bit his tongue, knowing afterwards that he probably shouldn't have said that. She doesn't need to know that I was ready to start breaking bones just at the thought of one of them touching her. Something like would be natural with Kenji but her… It might scare her away.
"So… what? You were talking about them in the hospital?"
"Yes," he answered reluctantly.
"Well, I don't know if I would have beaten them that bad, but thanks for the compliment."
Kenshin coughed, choking on the tea he was sipping from when he realized she had mistaken him. Grinning nervously at her concerned face, he inwardly sighed. Good, she thought I was talking about her beating the crap out of them. At least I don't have to worry about scaring her off now.
The last stretch passed in a flash. Kaoru seemed drastically more cheerful after her misinterpretation of his words, what with her singing happily along with almost every song that came on the radio. Kenji's young voice usually accompanied her, but he didn't know all of the songs like Kaoru, making her voice the more prominent in the car. Kenshin continued to drive in silence, a cheerful grin in place as he basked in the sound of her sweet tone. Something else to add to my growing list of beautiful things about her. Admittedly he was hoping to have that list grow considerably within the next few hours, the childish glee that she had shown at the mention of going to the beach was enough to show him that maybe today would be a chance to get closer, for all three of them.