Battle Front: Chapter 4

Kaoru was sitting on the couch in her den with the dvd player remote in one hand and a box of tissues in the other. The final scene of Casablanca had just finished. "Boo!" she hissed, tossing a wet tissue towards the television screen. "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow," she echoed in derision. The conversation was uncannily familiar to the last one she had with Aoshi.

There was a loud knock at her front door. "Come in," she called, not bothering to get up. It was her day off and she wasn't about to use any more energy than she had to spend. Saturdays were for sitting on the couch watching old movies and wearing your pajamas.

"Hey Missy, what time did you crawl out of bed?" Sano asked, standing behind the couch and playfully musing Kaoru's unruly unbrushed hair.

"Have you ever seen this movie?" Kaoru asked, not taking her eyes off the closing credits and shaking her head in disgust.

Sano turned his attention to the screen and frowned. "No, but everyone knows about the ending. 'Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but someday…'"

"That's so stupid!" Kaoru cried, throwing another tissue at the insulting movie screen. She finally looked up at Sano and gasped. "My, don't you look particularly handsome," she complimented, eyeing his remarkably well dressed persona. He looked ready for a night at the clubs and impressing many women. "What fancy designer dressed you?"

Sano gave a nervous laugh. "Actually, Katsu's sister helped me pick this out last time I was on leave. I don't really have any family other than his."

"You look great!" Kaoru smiled at him reassuringly. "You're going to break some hearts tonight!"

"Not with you looking like that," Sanosuke argued.

"Excuse me?" Kaoru asked, looking down at her silky red pants and over-sized black t-shirt. "What do my pajamas have to do with you're looking sexy as all get out?"

"I need a hot young lady, such as yourself, on my arm, to complete the ensemble."

"Oh No!" Kaoru shook her head and turned off the dvd. "I'm not going anywhere. It's my day off and I'm not doing anything at all!"

"Correction. The day is over and now it's the night and you're going out with me." Sano leaned down and picked up Kaoru, thankful that his ribs had mended some, though still not at full strength. "Don't struggle, you'll only hurt me," he warned when she started to squirm.

Kaoru sighed in exacerbation. "Why? Why do you want me to come? Can't you ask some other girl?"

"Sure, but I'm not going to for many reasons. One, you need out of the house. Two, I'd like to see you dressed up. Three, if I hurt myself you can fix me. And most importantly, you're the one I asked," Sano explained as he tossed her onto her bed. He then opened her closet.

"You're going to pick out my clothes?"

Sano shook his head and continued staring at the closet. "I was going to, but I just remembered I know very little about clothing." He smiled at her. "That's why I joined the military. You just wear the uniform."

Kaoru burst out loud laughing. "Get out; I'll be ready in half an hour, okay?"

"Sounds good," Sano answered on his way to the kitchen to raid her refrigerator.

Half an hour later, Kaoru walked into her kitchen to find Sano washing his hands at the sink. "I didn't even make any stains," he told her proudly without looking up. When she didn't respond he glanced at her and whistled. "You look gorgeous." He dried his hands on his pants leg, causing Kaoru to sigh. "Let's go," he said taking her arm.

They were halfway down the hall before Kaoru got him to slow down. "Could you explain exactly where it is we are going all dressed up?"

"You've known me a week, do I ever explain?"

"Only if you don't want any more injury done to your ribs."

"Point taken. Once a month they set up this deal where they have a casino and a dance hall and bar open for all the soldiers. They don't want a bunch of drunken morons on duty so that's why it's only once a month."

"I see, so who else is going to be there?"

Sano shrugged. "Probably everyone."

oooooOOOOOooooo

"You're making wonderful progress, honey," Kenshin told his wife over breakfast, early Sunday morning.

Tomoe looked at him, one eye focused upon his features as she concentrated on placing one spoonful at a time of warm porridge into her mouth. Carefully, she placed the spoon on the napkin. "Thank you," she replied softly.

Kenshin shifted uncomfortably. His wife's therapist, Misao, might have encouraged his ultimatum but he was regretting it by the minute. He didn't like being seen as harsh. He would never leave his wife willingly. Only death could separate them. And he even doubted that.

"Have you heard from Enishi lately?" Kenshin inquired. It seemed now-a-days that the only thing that brought the light of joy into her eyes was the mention of her younger brother.

"Not—" she took a deep breath, "—for a few days." The silence seemed to drag on between them. "Do you miss it?" she asked.

Kenshin blinked at her in surprise. "Pardon? Do I miss what?"

"Working for the government? Doing all those secret missions for the military?" Tomoe asked.

Kenshin stirred his cup of hot tea. He had been keeping so many secrets from his beloved wife. The main secret being that he worked now as a consultant for the military, a non-active operative. "I prefer being with you."

"That is not what I asked," Tomoe said quietly to herself as Kenshin rose from the table to wash his cup.

oooooOOOOOooooo

"So, we're really here so that Megumi can see what she's missing out by seeing your best friend and not you?" Kaoru clarified.

Sano shrugged. "Maybe you're my best friend and I wanted to take you out on a night on the town?" he asked, squeezing her bare shoulder, as the silk wrap she wore covered her chest and was held together at the neck and back by a thin strap.

"Sorry, handsome, but the position of Kaoru Kamiya's best friend is already filled by one tall, dark, handsome, blue eyed man named Aoshi." She met his gaze with a twinkle in her eyes. "We'll have to be each other's runner-ups, okay?"

Sano gave a hearty laugh at that and tucked her closer against his side. They showed their military identifications and were allowed into the club free of charge. "Unfortunately, the drinks aren't free," Sano complained when the first waitress came up to him.

"Alcohol is bad for your liver anyway," Kaoru protested, knowing that Sano was almost always strapped for cash due to his chronic gambling habits. It seemed that the monthly club was no longer willing to add to his ever growing tab, seeing as it was never going to be paid.

Kaoru began looking around the crowded room. She saw no sign of Yahiko. She did however notice Megumi and Katsu wrapped around each other like a red and white candy cane. She hoped that Sano didn't notice that. "I don't see Yahiko."

"He's not twenty-one," Sano answered absently, his attention focused exactly where Kaoru didn't want him to look. "Come on," he told her gruffly as he headed straight in that direction.

"Sano my man!" Katsu greeted with a high five, ignoring Megumi completely once his best friend arrived. He looked Kaoru up and down with a large grin. "You look gorgeous! However, I do think the shower curtain looked best on you," he said mischievously.

"How about we not talk about that," Megumi interrupted obviously annoyed. She looked Sano over and gave a prim nod at his attire. "You look handsome," she grudgingly admitted.

"Thanks," Sano answered, snuggling Kaoru closer to his side, leaning down and kissing her playfully on the shoulder. "I think Dr. Kamiya looks nicer but that's just me."

"Indeed," Megumi agreed giving Kaoru a cold look. She had become more aloof and frigid towards Kaoru as the week progressed and more patients began to seek Kaoru over Megumi. She was hardly home now, avoiding her in the apartment that they shared. It certainly made life difficult considering she spent her time at Katsu's now.

"You look very lovely, Megumi," Kaoru offered honestly. Megumi merely raised her brow, took Katsu by the hand, and led him to the dance floor.

"That certainly went well," Kaoru muttered.

Sano watched after Megumi longingly before he caught himself, shook his head, and refocused on Kaoru. "Reason number five for asking you, if the plan fails you're still one hot momma to spend the night dancing with!" He took her in his arms and spun her in a quick circle, leading her onto the dance floor.

oooooOOOOOooooo

It had been several days since he last saw her. To say he was surprised to see her at the club was an understatement. She didn't seem like the club-going type. Of course, he wasn't the club going type either, but he didn't have a choice. Bambi certainly was and the only way to shut her up was to agree to come. His answering machine couldn't handle any more messages.

"Oh come on, Enishi, you just got back. I haven't seen you in days!" Bambi whined playfully, rubbing up against Enishi in the crowded club. It should have been illegal to wear as little as she was currently donning. "Won't you at least dance once? Pretty please?"

Enishi looked down at her, disgusted that he had gotten himself into this mess to begin with. All he wanted was an excuse to find out the office gossip regarding Kamiya. He should have chosen another way as spying simply didn't seem to be his strong point. Loosely, he draped his arm around her shoulder, inwardly revolted by the fact that he would have to have his shirt burned in order to get the scent of her cheap perfume off it.

He watched Kamiya and Sagara on the dance floor. They should be ashamed of themselves. Actually, he was impressed by the skill they were showing—unlike most couples they weren't 'booty' dancing but actually rotating between Jitter-bug and Salsa. It was obvious that they had both taken lessons. He was annoyed by his interest in her. There was only one way to thwart such an unwise curiosity.

He would wait for the right opportunity. It came soon enough. Kamiya and Sagara soon took their leave of the dance floor much to the disappointment of the crowd. They took up a pair of stools at the bar and had a couple of waters to quench their thirst.

"Hey Captain," Sano called out at Enishi in greeting. Begrudgingly, Enishi nodded in greeting back. "Did you see us out there?"

"Yes," Enishi answered coolly. He looked directly at Kamiya, dark eyes showing over the brim of his ever present blue shades. He then turned to Bambi at his side and kissed her on the cheek before turning away from Sagara and Kamiya. "There are no other females here worth looking at," he confided in Bambi.

"Take Dr. Kamiya for example," this comment drew both Kaoru and Sanosuke's attention. "She looks more like a scrawny twelve year old boy than a real woman. What is she thinking wearing something like that?"

Kaoru's hands had balled into fists at the insult and her eyes watered in anger and hurt. However, tears never had a chance to spill. Sano pulled her into his arms and gave her an earth shattering kiss leaving her breathless and flushed.

Enishi's eyes grew darker.

Sano grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Woah! Definitely not a little boy," he said. "Let's get going Kaoru, I don't want to hang around a fool that can't recognize a good woman when he sees her. It's not something contagious, is it?"

"No, I don't think stupidity is contagious," Kaoru affirmed, having gathered her wits. She didn't even turn to look at Enishi as she and Sanosuke left the club.

Enishi watched them leave in disbelief. His plan had totally and utterly failed. Or had it? He wasn't sure exactly why he felt it important to be cruel to Kamiya. She had done nothing to him personally. But she represented a dream he had crushed. He felt Bambi tugging at his arm.

"Can we go on the dance floor now? This woman would like to get to know your man much better?" she flirted.

It was kharma. "No." He gestured towards his co-pilot on the last mission. "Ask Frank, he's a good dancer." Bambi gave him a disappointed look, glanced over towards Frank, who was a gorgeous man of Italian descent and happily skipped over towards him.

Enishi shook his head. Maybe it would be better if he simply went on a mission and didn't come back. Everyone would certainly be happier.

oooooOOOOOooooo

The walk back to Kaoru's apartment was silent. Sano was invited inside and they turned on the television, sitting in silence, watching a show in a language they didn't know. "I can't believe he would say such a thing," Kaoru finally said the question on her mind.

"I don't understand it either," Sano agreed. He was becoming mesmerized by the animated figures on the screen. He had no idea what they were saying, but they sounded pretty enthusiastic! "I mean, you're gorgeous, no doubt. But I don't know why he's purposely trying to tick you off."

"Maybe I remind him of someone he doesn't like."

If only she knew that person she reminded Enishi of was himself when he was younger and more enthusiastic.

"So what do you think Megumi's reaction will be?"

"She's probably going to hate me more too," Kaoru answered.

"Nah, but maybe she'll see what a good piece of meat she's missing out on!"

Kaoru raised her dark brow. "You're referring to yourself as meat?"

Sano shrugged, not really holding interest in the conversation since the cartoon characters began their battle scene. There was a knock on the door. Naturally, Kaoru was too lazy to get up off the couch and invited the visitor inside.

"If I was a vampire you'd be in for a big mess by inviting me inside like this," Yahiko admonished.

"Yahiko!" Kaoru cried happily upon seeing her friend. "We missed you tonight!"

Yahiko looked at their outfits. "I doubt it," he said with a laugh. He waved an envelope in his hand. "While you guys were dancing the night away I had mail duty. This," he said gesturing towards the off-white envelope. "Is for you."

"Who is it from?" Kaoru asked.

"Some Shinomori guy," Yahiko answered. Kaoru immediately jumped up, her shirt flying.

"Kaoru! Be careful with those things!" Sano complained, wrapping his hands around her waist to prevent her from sailing over the couch onto Yahiko.

"Oh is Shinomori important?" Yahiko teased, holding the envelope out of reach. Kaoru tried to get past Sano, but he held her firmly, making sure she didn't block his view of the television. "Maybe I should read it to you."

"Give me that!" Kaoru yelled, tipping over the couch with both herself and Sano falling onto the floor. She then tackled Yahiko's feet, ignoring Sano's cry of pain on the brutal landing and the job it did to his ribs.

She took the envelope and held it to her chest, breathing a sigh of relief. Even the sight of his handwriting calmed her.

"So, I guess he's someone important then," Yahiko muttered.