Konnichiwa! ^_^
I'm terribly, terribly sorry for my late update! But as I've claimed before school, work and life needed my attention! However I don't have to much work piling up in my near future, so I'm hoping to get some writing done! ^_^
Oh! In the next chapter I'm introducing Tomoe...hehe. Meanwhile i just wanted some fluff between the two of them!
I DO NOT OWN ANYONE FROM RUROUNI KENSHIN!
"W-what?"
"Not now...But I would like for us to...For Kenji to have both of his parents."
"He can have that even if we're not married! Besides you're already 'engaged', remember? Just because you have kids together nowadays doesn't mean that you have to be married."
He looked at her with a soft gaze. She looked surprised, he probably would have been too if she had suggested what he just did. He took a deep breath and spoke again.
"It would be the right thing to do."
"Yeah, well you don't know the first thing about me. What I work with, who I work for, are you sure I don't date? I can go on forever here really." she stated tiredly as she leaned back in the couch.
"Give me a chance, I'm kinda trying here Kaoru." Kenshin murmured and smiled.
She looked away as she tried to find something to say, so that she could argue with him. Her heart clenched, reminding her of the last five years of her life. That alone should be a reason to say no. On the other hand...no.
"Kenshin...I...I can't. "
"We're not going to run off and get married, that's not what I meant. But...I never regretted that night with you Kaoru. I never did and I swear it. I've been in love with you since I met you and it hasn't changed. Now we have a son, and I would love to get to know him, and you. So I guess what I'm trying to say is: Would you please go out on a date with me Kamiya Kaoru? I would like to know what I missed."
She swallowed and hoped she wouldn't get her heart broken again. She didn't even have to look at him to know that she still loved him. That's why it was so hard to say no. Why did he still have this effect on her? She sighed and closed her eyes.
"Kaoru?"
She looked up into his lavender eyes. They seemed to look straight into her soul. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath. He always had this damn effect on her and at times like these, she hated it. Deciding that she would go along wit him she mentally slapped herself and mumbled:
"Don't make me regret it Himura. Just don't"
He grinned sheepishly and stood up.
"Great! I'll pick you up tomorrow at Seven! Goodnight!"
He turned around and left her on the couch. Kaoru blinked and sighed. He was stubborn, she knew that. When he wanted something he made sure that he got it. Knowing Kenshin, he wouldn't take no for an answer...Slowly Kaoru was beginning to regret her decision. She hoped that this time around things would be better. Then she took a deep breath and decided that he would only get one more chance. Just one.
Kaoru jumped when her phone vibrated. She picked it up and looked at it, Kenshin. She smiled and tapped it.
"Dress casual, but beautiful. Like you. Miss you, and I can't wait."
Kaoru dialed Misao's number. Suddenly a very energetic voice answered.
"Kaoru! How's it going? Sanosuke told me that Kenshin is home!"
She bit her lip, silently growling at him. But she knew why. He was her overprotective big brother, and he was probably just looking out for her.
"Fine. Uhm... We're meeting up today, and going out, and I'm supposed to dress casual. Ano...How...What do I wear Misao-chan?"
"You're going on a date?!" she sounded surprised.
"Please don't tell Sano! I'll never hear the end of it..."
"I should. He broke your heart Kaoru!"
Kaoru sighed heavily and stared at the wall in front of her. She knew that already. There was an awkward silence before Misao took a deep breath and continued.
"Ano Kaoru...You do look good in those tight blue jeans you have. With the white shirt-like top... put some boots on and curl your hair. Natural beauty at it's top."
Kaoru grinned widely.
"He won't know what hit him."
With that she hung up and Kaoru took a shower and got dressed. Before she put on her make up she looked at herself in the mirror. Misao was good at this. She put on her favorite necklace and earrings. And then she walked downstairs and pulled on a pair of black boots. As she set her foot down the doorbell rang. She opened the door, revealing a smiling Kenshin.
"Hey! Kaoru you look...absolutely mesmerizing. Wow." He breathed.
She smiled and he pulled out a big bouquet of pink roses.
"Thank you, but you shouldn't have! Oh I love pink roses..."
"I know. I remember!" he chuckled lightly and scratched himself in the back of his head. She blushed and put them in a vase.
"So what do you have planned?"
"Dinner. At my place."
She smiled. How very Kenshin-like. She always liked that about him though. That he was down to earth, but still loved an adventure. He held up the door for her and smiled.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
He took her hand and led her out to the stairs. Then he patiently waited for her to lock the door before gently taking her hand again. After a moment of silence Kaoru sighed and looked over at him.
"This feels weird..."
He chuckled and looked at the sky.
"Which part?"
"Us. I didn't think I would see you for a long long time."
"Kaoru, five years is a long long time."
"I guess I was poorly prepared...so what are we doing?"
"A surprise!" he said with a smile and let her go momentarily to open his door. It had been a while since he was home but he had cleaned his house from top to bottom. As she stepped in she took a deep breath. A scent of Jasmine filled her nostrils and she closed her eyes and relaxed.
Kenshin closed the door behind her and showed her to the kitchen. He started the oven and followed her as she took a tour of the house. She moved through the rooms with a growing interest.
"It really hasn't changed..." she mumbled.
"Haven't been home. But you know that."
"Yeah."
She opened the door to his room and smiled at his sense of style. It was simple and elegant. Much like she imagined it to be. But it could use some color. She could fix that if she... wait what was she thinking? If she what? She didn't even know if she trusted him enough to be her friend. Sure it was going okay but...He was still 'engaged'.
And that woman... She took a sharp breath. She disliked her and for good reasons to. Kenshin came up behind her.
"Like it?"
"Could use some color."
"I knew you'd say that."
She laughed at him and entered the room. In the corner stood his old piano from high school.
"Well, again, you know me to well."
Her fingers carefully touched it. It was older but still as beautiful as ever. She sat down, and he did the same.
"You still play?"
"Hai...Ano not so much. Kenji takes up too much time for me to enjoy it."
She placed her fingers on the keys and pressed down. Instantly recognizing the song Kenshin played the second tune. They played slow but intense, and he loved the feeling of just being there with her. Kaoru had been his best friend and he had always been in love with her. To be honest he was hoping that she would trust him enough again to allow him to show her how much. Kaoru on the other hand was understandably cautious around him. She wasn't sure that he would stay. Or how he would act around Kenji for that matter. She loved him as well... But he...She didn't know. Things would have to start working before she acted on something. He tried to show her that she could trust him, and she would take it from there. As the song ended a comfortable silence filled the room.
"How long are you staying?" she asked quietly.
"I haven't got anything planned for at least six months. But I can control whatever comes along and decide for myself."
"Great. Are you free on Sunday? Kenji is coming home around six. I'd like for you to meet him."
He grinned widely and nodded.
"I'm free and coming over then."
"Great!" a small smile spread across her face.
"How about coffee?"
She nodded and tailed him to the kitchen. He gave her a mug and smiled. Kaoru sighed as she leaned back and looked at him.
"So...why an engagement?"
He looked away with a tired look.
"I...was tired of all the woman following me around, so Tomoe suggested it. Little did I know that it would actually call me an even bigger audience than before..."
"Tomoe? I bet she did...Hm."
He gazed back at her. She looked angry. And if what she had told him was true, then she had all the rights to be.
"Yes...It seems that she knows a lot that I don't, doesn't it? I haven't talked to her yet."
"The woman basicly told me to back off. So...I don't really want to talk to her. Unless it would be to hit her square in the face."
He laughed at her. That's Kaoru for you.
"You're right. I still have to talk to her. Ano...did she know that you were pregnant?"
"I didn't tell her. But who knows?"
He carefully stroked the ear of the mug with his thumb. She was right... Tomoe seemed to know things that he sure didn't. Could it be so that she knew about Kenji to? Would she really hide his own son from him? A talk would be nice indeed if not about that, then about 'calling of the engagement'. He was staying with Kenji and Kaoru and wanted to be there for them, and that meant that he couldn't be with her. When he thought about it... she always made sure that no girls went out with him...or accompanied him alone. Could she...?
"Kenshin? I asked you what you planned for the night..." Kaoru smiled.
He looked up at her somewhat confused before returning to reality.
"Oh..:" he chuckled.
"I thought we'd have a quiet night in watching 'Romancing the stone'. I remember that you made me watch it like...five times in a night."
"Hahaha...Yeah...a young Michael Douglas? Mmmmhm! He's all that..." she smiled widely and laughed.
"...You're kidding right?"
"No!"
"The guy looks like a hairy monkey! I look sexier, even with my clothes on!"
"Don't push it..."
"I do!"
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Typical male pride.
"Hey...Kamiya. Want me to demonstrate or what?"
A blush crept up from her neck to her face.
"N-no."
"Come on, let's go put it on! I even have snacks and drinks."
He grabbed her hand and pulled her up so that their bodies deliberately touched. She withdrew a breath and shivered slightly. His muscled chest rumbled under his shirt as he let out a heartwarming laughter. Smiling he lead her to the sofa.
"Sit. I'll make preperations."
He left her alone and came back with bows and snacks, sodas and a bottle opener. Then he put the dvd in and lit some candles before he finally settled down next to her. As the intro rolled on he slipped his arm around her.
"Ne, Kenshin?"
"Hm?"
"I can't do this. Until you break of your 'engagement'. I won't be the 'other woman' to the world. I won't do that to Kenji."
"I know. But right now it's just us. Let it be just us here."
She nodded and leaned into his embrace as they watched the movie in silence. As the movie progressed he held her hand, leaned his head against hers and utterly and completely relaxed himself. Something he hadn't been able to do since god knows when. When it ended Kaoru stretched and yawned. He stood up and looked at her.
"Want me to take you home?"
She gazed at her watched and rubbed her eyes tiredly.
"Yeah...It's kinda late."
He nodded quietly and blew out the candles. Kaoru took care of the dishes and he got her boots for her. She pulled them on and opened the door. The cool night air hit her in the face and she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. It smelled like wet grass and pine trees. It had gotten dark and the stars shone brightly on the night sky.
"It's beautiful, ne Kenshin?"
"Indeed." he answered without looking at the sky. His eyes were glued on to the raven haired beauty in front of him.
"Let's go." she smiled and he grabbed her hand again. Kaoru didn't protest, she kind of liked it. It felt right.
"I'd like to thank you Kaoru, for letting me meet Kenji."
"It's your right."
"That maybe, but just because someone is a father it doesn't mean that they deserve to be a father."
"True. But I know you somewhat, even though it's been five years."
They walked up on her driveway and she pulled out her keys and opened the door. She turned to him and looked him in the eyes. Suddenly she felt nervous.
"So...uhm thank you for tonight. It was nice. I appreciated the gesture."
"Thank you for coming."
"And the flowers! Thanks again for the flow..."
"Kaoru. Koi, you're ranting." He murmured as he leaned in and cupped her cheek. With a careful move he leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and let his breath tickle her sensitive skin before pulling back. Her insides went on a rampage. She melted, exploded and froze at the same time.
'From a kiss on the cheek? Get a grip Kaoru!' she thought.
When he leaned back he looked at her and smiled in amusement. His hand fell to his side and he took a step back.
"I'll see you tomorrow then..."
She nodded and stepped inside to close the door. Somehow she failed from closing it and just ended up watching him leave. It was a dangerous game at play here and she knew it. It wasn't just her own heart at play, but Kenjis as well. If Kenshin were just to leave... She sighed and locked the door. Then a small smile crept on to her face as she made her way up the stairs. She still loved him, and if things didn't work out then at least she had tried. Right..?
She turned on the light in her bedroom and sat down on the bed and began to undress.
Kenshin couldn't stop smiling during the walk home. He had really missed her, and this felt like progress. He pushed the key into his lock and turned it around. Then with a swift move he turned the doorknob and let himself in. He locked it again and sat down in the staircase, leading upstairs. When he threw the last boot away, his phone rang. He held it up and let his smile falter.
Yukishiro Tomoe
Well it was now or never. She had some serious questions to answer and it was about time she did.
