Chapter FourI Fall Every TimeBy-Sakura's Shadows
Disclaimers- I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.
I really think this chapter turned out pretty good. It's longer than the last one, but it still came a bit short to what I usually write. I hope you guys enjoy reading it because I enjoyed writing it.
That day I had woken up early for work. I sat one the edge of my bed looking at the white tennis shoes on my feet. My face rested in my hands. I don't know why I was waiting for that phone to ring. Did they forget? They never did before...
My apartment was deathly silent. The ring of silence settled in my ears. I hated that sound.
There was a knock at the door. I jumped at least two feet in the air. There was another knock. I got up from my spot on the bed and walked into the living room, my heart racing.
I answered the door.
"Hey Kaoru," came the bright voice of Misao. She walked right past me and sat herself on my couch, sighing.
"Hey," Sano's mellow voice nearly made me fall backwards. I hadn't seen him behind Misao.
"Kaoru?" Sano waved his hand in front of my face.
"Huh?" I blinked a few times.
"You okay?" Sano asked me.
"Oh. I'm fine," I replied and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. The ring of silence had finally left my ears. The apartment hadn't seemed that empty since Enishi left.
"Well, it's good you're okay Missy," Sano chirped, leaning against the bar.
I eyed him, "Why?"
"No reason."
Misao walked into the kitchen and grabbed my arm. "We're going to be late Kaoru. Let's go."
"Misao. What are you doing?" She pulled me out and rushed me to the elevator.
"Don't worry Missy! I'll lock up here!" I heard Sano shout before the elevator closed.
I looked at Misao. She had a very suspicious smile on her face. They were up to something. I think they forgot about today. I mean, it's a very special day. Every year they never forgot my birthday!
And this one was special. I was finally going to turn twenty-one.
We arrived at work just on time. Nana rushed in from the back and pushed the tray and notepad in my face. I looked around the restaurant; it was full. Every seat was full to the brim. People were complaining about their orders not being taken. I got right on the ball. Misao and Nana ran to the back. Megumi left her spot from the cash register to help out with the complaining customers. It was okay for her to do that because she only had to take their money when they were finished and ready to leave.
I rushed to the back to hand over the first order. I saw Kenshin with an apron on and over the stove cooking. I smiled. I never knew he could cook.
"Move Kaoru," Megumi said. She pushed me to the side and gave Kenshin her order. He took it with a smile.
"Thank you Megumi," He told her. I looked at her with narrow eyes. That was so rude! She walked past me with a smug look on her face. I just wanted to go pound her face in or wring her neck. Maybe I could rip out her hair...
"Kaoru!" I heard a shout from the back of the kitchen. Kenshin was waiting for my order.
"Sorry," I said, coming out of my little daydream. The rest of the day was busy and by three o' clock the crowd had subsided.
I sat down at one of the tables and sighed. Nana came from the back wiping her hands on her apron.
"Good work today," Said Kenshin, from the back.
Misao sat beside me and Kenshin and Nana stood together beside the counter. Megumi was counting the last of her money.
"That was the biggest crowd we had in quite the while," said Misao.
"Yeah," I replied, wiping the hair from my face.
"Well everyone can have the rest of the day off." Kenshin said.
Misao's face lit up, "Seriously?"
"Yes, everyone worked very hard today." Misao clapped. Megumi flipped her hair and smiled. I closed my eyes, and mouthed thank you.
"Everyone gets a much needed break," Nana explained. She was the first out the door.
Megumi came from behind the counter and walked over to where Misao and I sat.
"How about we all go shopping?"
We all ended up at the in one of the clothing stores on the second floor of the mall. Misao was looking at some dresses while Megumi and I were looking at the skirts.
She eyed me in a weird way that mad me squirm. In her hand she held a miniskirt that looked like it would cover nothing, and it coasted more than a months rent.
"You should try this on," She handed it out to me.
"Nope." I pushed it away.
"Oh, come on." She pushed into my face.
"No. Now get it out of my face."
"Grumpy now aren't we."
I wasn't in the best of moods. That was for sure. "I'm going."
Megumi smirked and turned around. Before I got to the door, Misao grabbed my hand.
"Look," She said eagerly. She held up a black halter top dress. It looked like it would go to the knees, and it had a beautiful bottom.
"It's pretty." I told her.
"Try it on Kaoru. Please."
"I can't."
"Come on," She pleaded pushing me to the back of the store against my will. She put the dress in my hand and pushed me into the dressing room. I sighed and sat on the bench, staring at the dress. This always happens when we go out shopping. Misao will always make me try on things that I can't afford; then she'll buy them for me and I'll feel bad.
I slipped on the little black dress, managing to zip up the back. I walked out of the dressing room slowly. I wasn't used to showing this much skin. Most of the clothes I've been wearing since Enishi left has been sweats. Well, except for that dress I wore to the New Year's Eve party.
Misao and I walked out of our dressing room at the same time. She walked out with a simple red dress that came to her knees.
"Spin for me," She giggled. I did so and she clapped. "This is perfect. Don't take it off," she paused and handed me a pair of heals, "These will go perfect."
"Misao we can't wear these out of the store." I told her.
"Yes we can. I already paid for them." She waved her credit card in front of my face.
"You know I hate it when you do this to me, Misao." She giggled and put on her shoes.
"I know." I slipped on my shoes. Megumi came into the dressing room, eying the both of us.
"Why are you guys so dressed up?"
"You know why Megumi. I already told you it's Kaoru's birthday."
Megumi pursed her lips, "Oh, yes, the big 21. Congratulations Kaoru." She flipped her hair and walked into the dressing room."
"Happy Birthday by the way!" Misao shouted and gave me a big hug.
"Thanks. I thought everyone forgot."
"Well you know I would never forget Kaoru," Misao patted my hand.
"I have an idea," Megumi called out from her dressing room.
"What's that?" Misao inquired.
Megumi walked out of the dressing room. I looked her up and down. She qas simply beautiful. She had a classic face with high cheek bones small lips and almond eyes. She had that traditional Japanese look like the woman I see in books. I think I almost envy her. She smiled and looked straight at me.
"We should call Kenshin and go to dinner."
"That's a great idea," Misao chirped.
"I'm going to go home," I told the both of them.
"But Kaoru--"
"Call me when you guys get ready for dinner."
I wanted to leave. I just didn't feel right around Megumi. An hour later, I sat on my couch in pajamas watching T.V. There was a soft knock on the door.
"One Second!" I yelled. I turned down the T.V. and rubbed my fingers through my wet hair, trying to look some what presentable.
I walked to the door and opened it. He stood there with with his goofy lopsided smile with a bag of groceries. His red hair hadn't been touched since work, and he wore a blue dress shirt and light brown khakis.
"Care for a birthday dinner?"
I laughed at him. "Come in."
He walked past me and set the groceries on the counter.
Later he both sat at the table with steaming plates of noodles and fresh tossed salad. Desert was a big chocolate cake that I couldn't wait to dig into. I walked in and he stood, eying me up and down. I looked very different from my usual self. My hair was pulled back and I wore a little bit of make-up and the dress Misao had bought me.
"Don't get used to it."
He laughed. "I won't."
He pulled out my chair and poured us both wine.
"Happy 21." We clinked our cups together.
Later, on we sat on the couch watching a movie. A commercial had came on and he had 'accidentally' poked me in the side because I had dosed off a bit. I burst in a fit of laughter as he did it more. I tried to squirm from that poking finger, but somehow we ended up on the floor. He was above me breathing hard, a smile on his lips. His red hair escaped it confinements and made a curtain of silk around us both. He stopped for a moment to let me catch my breath; then he started again. He pinned both of my hands above my head and kept tickling.
"Stop. I give up," I said between laughs.
"Are you sure?"
"YES!"
I pulled my head up. Our faces were inches apart. The smile faded off his lips and his eye-lids were half closed. Was he going to kiss me? I went into panic mode. I didn't know what to do. Then, the phone saved me. He got up off me, and I rushed to my purse and dug around until I found my cell phone. I was still out of breath.
"Yeah."
"Come down to the Pancake House now!"
"Is there something wrong?"
"Just hurry."
He hung up.
"Sano?" I shut the phone. Kenshin looked at me with concern.
"What's wrong?" He asked
I grabbed my coat. "Sano called just now. His voice sounded frantic. He told me to come down to the Pancake House."
Kenshin flipped off the T.V. "I'll go with you."
As we walked out of the door, I could have sworn I saw a smile on Kenshin's face.
