Lost and Lonely Chapter 6
Okay guys, from this point on I am making this up as I go…kinda. The previous 5 chapters took me about a year or so to get from paper to computer. The rest of the story is going straight from computer to you fans. So please keep those reviews coming so that I stay inspired to write for you all.
As always; as much as I wish I owned the characters from Rurouni Kenshin I sadly do not.
If you've been keeping up with the story you know that if you see 'this kind of writing' you know that this is what's going on in the character's heads. So without further ado here's a recap of the previous chapter and then on with the show!
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When they were out of earshot, Sano began to speak up. "Kenshin…"
"I know Sano; I know…this is just making things more and more interesting." Kenshin's eyes begin to turn golden again. "Let's go see what our friend wants to speak with us about." Kenshin blinks and grabs his things and smiles at Sano his eyes now back to their normal shade of purple with just the slightest flecks of purple. "Besides, don't you have a boy to check up on?"
At the mention of Yahiko Sano sighs. In all of the hub-bub he had almost forgotten about the boy. "Yeah. I don't know why the missy is making me watch him. He seems to like her well enough. Maybe I can get her to take care of him from now on." Kenshin laughs at his friend's comment. Sano was never much of one for commitment.
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*Kaoru and Misao on the way to the Aioya*
So far this Tuesday was shaping up to be a duesy. She had forgiven Misao for her momentary lapse in judgment the other day, practically destroyed a training dummy, learned that Sano was non-other that the best friend of the guy she simply couldn't get out of her mind, found out that Aoshi was home finally and that the red-headed man from her dreams, or was it her nightmare? She still didn't know what to make of Kenshin not only knew how to use a sword but had actually beaten her at the one thing she had always thought she was unstoppable at. Now she was being dragged back to see the Ice-man that Misao was obsessed with even though she was quite certain that while he might want to see his little Misao he probably wasn't up to seeing Kaoru. The two while being civil to one another never really saw eye to eye on a lot of things. But because Misao was hell bent on marrying this particular man there really wasn't much Kaoru could do but try to get along with him.
They reach the Aioya around 1:30 in the afternoon and the instant that the hit the property Misao lets go of Kaoru's hand and waves a quick goodbye to her friend. "I'll come find you when we're done talking!" Misao yells over her shoulder with a wink and just like that she vanishes.
Kaoru slowly meanders into the building. Once in the area that serves as the restaurant she is glad that she isn't working. The place was mobbed. She feels somewhat guilty when she looks at one of the waitresses the woman gives her a look that practically begs her to put on an apron and help out.
'Maybe after I visit with Yahiko I'll go help out. If I have to work than I won't have to go out with Kenshin.' That was when Kaoru remembers. 'Crap I told him I was working today. I bet he was wondering why I was at the gym and not here. Hmmm…if he asks I'll just say that I went in late to help out or something. As much as I kind of want to go out with him I'm still not so sure if I'm ready to.' With that Kaoru decides that she would simply go in and lend a hand until Misao is done chatting with Aoshi and if Kenshin brings it up she'll just lie some more and tell him that she is covering for someone and that she can go out with him. "I just hope he buys it."
"Buys what?" A distinct voice chimes in from behind her. 'Damn-it all!' Kaoru curses herself and turns around to see Kenshin and Sano standing behind her.
"What are the two of you doing here?" said Kaoru avoiding Kenshin's question.
"Well," Kenshin begins "Sano had to check up on Yahiko, and I need to meet with a business associate of mine here."
"Right, I don't think the term 'business associate' fits him." Sano mutters under his breath. Kenshin swiftly elbows him in the stomach and just keeps smiling at Kaoru.
Giving the two men a quizzical look Kaoru begins to question them but thinks better of it. Turning her attention to Sano she glares at him. "Well you know where Yahiko is, why don't you go and look after him. Seeing as how you abandoned him this morning and last night!"
"Hey! I didn't abandon him. He was perfectly safe here with everyone here." He says somewhat sheepishly. "Besides I promised Kenshin I would work out with him today. And I don't break promises, unlike some people in this room." Sano stands tall glaring at the woman in front of him. He is so proud of his come-back that he doesn't see the plate sailing into his face until it is too late. Sano falls on the floor stunned. "I think I'll go see Yahiko now." He states softly.
Kenshin looks from Sano to the fuming Kaoru and tries his hardest not to laugh. "That would probably be a good idea. I'll go talk to…" he stops unsure if he should go on in present company.
Once again Kaoru looks at him strangely. She had the distinct feeling that he was hiding something from her. "So who is this mysterious person you need to go talk to?"
"Ummm…well you see…" Kenshin began muttering looking for an escape route. 'Ask and you shall receive.' He thought to himself.Kenshin quickly spots Misao and Aoshi walking towards them. When he sees them together he smiles lightly. It seems that Misao had managed to melt the Ice-man's heart just slightly since the last time that Kenshin had seen him.
"KAORU!" Shouts Misao from down the small hallway. Kaoru sighs 'there goes any information that I might have gotten out of him. Well at least on the bright side he didn't have enough time to ask me about our…date.' Looking up, Kaoru smiles at the pair walking toward her. "Well I see you found Aoshi. How did your talk go?" Kaoru studies the girl and sees her shoulders slump just a little bit.
"Yup! And you'll never guess what I found out!" She is practically running at this point to get to where Kaoru and Kenshin are standing. "Hey, where's Sango?" Kaoru can't help but notice the look Aoshi gives Misao at the mention of Sano. 'Come to think of it…' She looks at Kenshin. His whole demeanor has changed. 'It seems that Aoshi knows these two…but why?'
"He went to go check up on Yahiko. Now, what where you saying about finding out something?" She glances at Kenshin briefly. But before Misao can answer she hears Aoshi chime in.
"Himura." Aoshi states coldly. Obviously they know each other which still leaves her other question unanswered. How?
"Shinomori." Kenshin shoots back with a slight bow of his head. "You need to speak with me?"
"Yes. Misao…Kaoru," Aoshi looked each woman in turn. "Would you set up a room for us all? There's something I need to speak with the two of you about." Aoshi looks from Kenshin to Misao. Kaoru frowns and looks at Misao pointedly. 'Two of you? Why wouldn't he want me around?' Misao looks away from her friend and is about to say something when she's cut off.
"Kaoru" The Ice-man begins, "Okina has asked that you help out in the resturant for a little while since you're here. Once we're done Misao will come for you." Kaoru nods. 'Well maybe this will get me out of that date. But why the hell am I not included in all of this?!'
"Where's Sagara?" States Aoshi firmly. He directed this question at Kenshin but Kaoru chimes in first.
"He was irritating me so I sent him off to play nanny." She states rather smugly. A bit of her frustration ebbing. At this comment Aoshi almost smiles. Obviously Misao has wormed her way into Aoshi's conscience without him even realizing it.
"Alright then. Misao, go with Kaoru into the kitchen and prepare us some tea. Meet us upstairs quickly alright?" The younger girl nods and they head off through the doors to the restaurant.
**With Kaoru and Misao**
Once away from the door a bit Kaoru stops and faces her friend. "Okay I want some answers! What the hell is going on? How does Aoshi know Kenshin? And why the hell are you two gonna go talk to him and I can't?!" She was furious at this point and Misao was having trouble not crying at the outburst.
"I don't know! He just told me that there was something he wanted to talk about, naturally I got my hopes up…" Misao frowns at the point. Obviously she didn't get what she wanted when Aoshi said he wanted to talk to her. "When I asked what it was he said he wanted to wait to tell me because he had someone else he wanted me to meet who needed to know the same information as me."
Kaoru sighs and shakes her head. "Sorry Misao." The two girls stop and glance back at the hall noticing both men still standing there.
**Kenshin and Aoshi**
"So, what's so important that you came here and need to speak to both Sano and I? And why are you dragging that girl into it?" Says Kenshin rather bluntly. Waiting to see his reaction to talking about Misao.
Aoshi's eye twitches just slightly; a fact not lost on Kenshin, before he simply says, "We should talk business in a private room, and since when do you know Ms. Kamiya and Misao?"
Kenshin grins at his use of Misao's first name, "Since yesterday. Let's just say I've grown" He pauses, his eyes becoming possessive, and quickly flicking to the doors of the restaurant, "fond of Kaoru."
"So I see. Shall we go upstairs then?" Aoshi retorts, not missing how quickly Kenshin's eyes had changed color at the mention of Kaoru or the glance in the other direction.
As the men go upstairs Kaoru and Misao slip out of their hiding place by the door of the restaurant. Silently they make their way to the kitchen to fetch the tea for the three of them while Kaoru grabs an apron to go help out serving.
**in the Kitchen**
Kaoru slumps against the kitchen counter. "Misao?" The younger girl just stood across from her friend and grins. "Did I hear that conversation correctly?"
"Which part? The part about them knowing each other or the part where Kenshin practically said he loves you?" Says Misao with that sly grin of hers.
"So I did hear him say it. But…he barely knows me…how…how can he feel that way about me?" Kaoru is perplexed. Only one other man had ever said anything like that about her. She shuddered at the memory of her past. 'Oh please don't let this end the same way.'
"I don't know. But now aren't you glad that I made you call him." Misao's eyes light up at that comment and Kaoru winces. "Hey don't you have a date with him tonight?" Misao is giddy at the thought of it all.
Kaoru on the other hand is about to be sick. "Crap. How can I bail on him now?" She thinks out loud to herself.
"Bail on him?!" Misao walks over grabs Kaoru's shoulders and shakes her friend. "There is No way in hell you are bailing on him. Is that what took you so long to come up and meet Aoshi? You were thinking of working tonight weren't you?" Misao glares accusingly at her best friend. "Kaoru! You can't do that to the poor man." Misao looks at her watch. "It's only 2 so you have plenty of time to talk to Aoshi, go home and get ready by 7! I forbid you to even think of working tonight."
Kaoru sighs. She knows that there is no way she is going to get out of this one. It makes her terrified and excited all at the same time. She has to admit…she is looking forward to going out with Kenshin, even if she is terrified of being left alone with him. "Alright I suppose you're right."
"Of course I am!" Misao chimes. "Now let's get some tea upstairs before Aoshi starts to worry where I am." Misao grins, Kaoru simply shakes her head. 'When will she ever learn that Aoshi always knows what she's doing? No matter where he is.' Kaoru looks up at the ceiling. It was true after all. On a few occasions Kaoru had caught one of the Oniwabanshu watching Misao, when Kaoru had confronted Aoshi about it a few years ago he simply said it was for her own safety and not to worry about it.
Sighing yet again, Kaoru grabs the tray with the tea on it. 'Knowing Misao she would drop it if I let her carry it.' She laughs to herself. Misao shoots her a questioning look and opens the kitchen door. Kaoru simply brushes it off and follows her friend out the kitchen door and up the stairs to the room where Kenshin and Aoshi are waiting.
Once they reach the door Kaoru hands off the tray to Misao and they quietly part ways.
"I really hope I'm just over reacting about all of this." Kaoru mumbles to herself as she heads back into the restaurant. When she reaches the kitchen she grabs a note pad and pen and starts serving tables that are not being waited on. With a smile she walks over to a table in the far corner, doing her best to shove thoughts about what is going on upstairs out of her mind. "Hello my name is Kaoru and I'll be your server. What can I get you?" With that Kaoru was thrown into work mode and slowly thoughts of the trio upstairs floated away for the time being.
**Upstairs- Misao, Aoshi, and Kenshin**
Misao steps through the door and gives one last glance at Kaoru before shutting it and placing the tray in the center of the table. Taking her time to get her thoughts collected Misao busies herself with serving the three of them tea. 'Aoshi-sama…what's going on here?' Misao sighs and sits in her place at the round table. Kenshin is to her left staring at Aoshi who is across from the petite man and to Misao's right. 'If I didn't know any better it looks like they are having a conversation the way they are staring at each other. I just don't get it though…who is this guy? Why does Aoshi want to speak with him? And why am I here but not Kaoru!? It just doesn't make sense!' Sighing Misao looks from one man to the other.
They sit like that for a few minutes, the two men sipping their tea and staring at each other, just waiting for something to happen. By this time Misao's patience has grown thin and she simply can't take it anymore.
"Aoshi-sama!" She wines. "What's going on here? How do you know Kenshin and since when do you want me present for these sorts of meetings? And why couldn't Kaoru be here?!"
It seems that that was the cue Aoshi is waiting for. With a deep sigh he looks from Misao to Kenshin then looks back at his tea. "Misao calm down." Those three words were like a needle pricking a balloon to Misao, upon hearing Aoshi's stern voice filled with exasperation she almost visibly deflates.
"Alright…but what's going on Aoshi-sama?" Misao says meekly looking at the table.
Aoshi nods and begins. "According to my information there is someone here that we were all hoping would never show his face again." Understanding begins to shine on Misao's features with this statement.
"You don't mean…" she begins but is immediately cut off.
"Yes. I got word last night that he had been seen wandering around the next town over. Of course you understand Misao why I have asked you here and why Miss. Kamiya was not included in this matter." At Kaoru's name Kenshin's interest peaks.
Misao nods but then frowns. "But doesn't this affect Kaoru? Why can't she know? And why…" her attention turns toward Kenshin. "Is he here? What does he have to do with anything?"
Aoshi grimaces. "I believe that Himura is one of the only ones who will be able to help in this matter. Especially due to…" he pauses and smirks looking kenshin straight in the eyes, seeing the slight tint of gold in them he makes a mental note and allows his mask to float back onto his face. "Some new developments I think that he would be a wise choice to aide us in protecting Miss. Kamiya from the impending situation." Aoshi falls silent and takes another sip of tea, waiting.
This all was making Kenshin madder by the minute. What was going on that he was called here? And why would Kaoru be in danger? He needed answers. Steeling his emotions Kenshin begins, "Alright Shinomori…you've got my attention, what's going on here?" He looks from Aoshi to Misao and sees the worry on the young girls face.
"Well you see, some time ago…" Aoshi is cut off by Misao now. One look at the girl and he sees that she has gone from fear to angry at the situation in a matter of seconds.
"Aoshi! Don't you think Kaoru should be telling this story? I mean who the hell is this guy anyway? What does he have to do with anything?" Misao was beginning to cry softly. "Why should we trust him with something like this? I know that you must trust him or he wouldn't be here but…" Misao falters, "I just don't think its right telling him all of this when I don't know who he is…besides this is Kaoru's life you want to share…not your own!" Misao yells at Aoshi. However she quickly returns to her worried expression when she realizes just who she's talking to and that she has spoken out of turn. 'But it just isn't fair!'
Sighing Aoshi shakes his head. "No, you're right Misao…" Misao is taken aback at this. "You should know who you're dealing with before we continue."
It was Kenshin's turn to be thrown off guard. "But why does this girl need to know anything like that?" Kenshin's eyes flash gold.
"Listen Himura…" Aoshi practically spits his name, "Misao is Miss. Kamiya's best friend. She knows everything there is to know about her and if you wish to continue with Miss. Kamiya in the way I believe you do it would be wise of you to show her some respect and at least allow her to know that she can trust you with her friend."
Kenshin eye's Misao for a minute or two. "Unless…" Aoshi breaks into his thoughts, "You'd prefer I tell her."
"Tell me what?!" Misao yells at the two.
"Trust me Himura. She needs to know you can handle this and protect Miss. Kamiya." States Aoshi bluntly.
"Hey! I'm in the room remember? And don't forget Aoshi I can protect Kaoru myself!" Misao is fuming at all of this. 'They're treating me like a 2 year-old!' Aoshi has not only insulted her intelligence at this point but now he is calling her incompetent and unable to take care of her best friend. 'Bastard. Who does he think he is anyway?'
"Yes Misao, I am fully aware of your skill in fighting. But do you truly think you can defend yourself against Him? Not even her fath-."
"Aoshi…don't you dare bring that up right now! I know that's why we're here but I still don't know if I trust this man! Besides I think Kaoru should be the one to tell him that tale on her own." Misao glances at Kenshin and then glares at Aoshi. "Doesn't she at least deserve that?" With Aoshi's nod Misao turns on Kenshin. "And you. You need to tell us who you really are or else I'll get Aoshi to do it for you. I will Never trust you with Kaoru if you don't confess right now!"
Kenshin can tell from the tone in Misao's voice and the urgency in Aoshi's demeanor that it really is important for Misao to understand who he is so that she will be able to trust that Kenshin with Kaoru and know that he can hold his own against whatever it is that is threatening her.
Kenshin sighs. 'I suppose she'll find out one way or another.'
'But does she really have to know?' It was his other self again. 'We have been hiding this from the world. Why do we have to speak of it now?'
'Obviously there is something wrong idiot. Just look at her.' Kenshin glances at Misao and sees her still glaring at him small tears in her eyes for her friend's plight. 'She won't tell us what's going on until we tell her who we are.'
'But what if they hate us for it?'
'I think she would hate us more if we walked away from all of this.'
'Yes. You're right. Okay. We shall tell our story.'
Sighing Kenshin looks up. Little did he know that Aoshi had been watching Kenshin's internal debate. Seeing his eyes go from one color to the other rapidly as if he were fighting with himself for dominance. Finally his eyes have settled on a golden hue with specs of violet running through them. "Alright. I shall tell my story. But, you must tell me what is going on first. I want to make sure that it is truly worth me telling my secret." Kenshin is directing this conversation to Aoshi.
Aoshi nods and turns to Misao. "I will let you tell him what you think he needs to know." Misao takes a deep breath.
"I don't know…I mean Kenshin doesn't even know him. He doesn't know what's going on. How is he supposed to help? Look at him! There is no way he could beat…" Misao has to take another breath to clam herself. 'We're doing this for Kaoru remember…if Aoshi thinks he can help…' She can't help but shake her head. "I just think that there is no way he could beat…Shishio." She whispers the name and Kenshin almost doesn't hear it.
"So…" Kenshin chimes in his eyes now completely amber with only one speck of violet shining through. "Shishio has once again reared his ugly head huh?"
Aoshi simply nods. Misao looks shocked that Kenshin would know of Shishio. "Yes, that is why I have called you here…Battosai."
Misao grows wide-eye at the use of the name. But Kenshin simply smirks. "Well now you know." He directs his grin at Misao 'Maybe this girl will finally realize that I can protect Kaoru better than anyone and hopefully she won't stand in my way when I go to make Kaoru mine.' Kenshin's eyes flash golden for a second and then he turns his gaze back to Aoshi. "So Aoshi why would Shishio be going after m..." He stops himself from calling her My Kaoru. "Kaoru?"
"I believe Battosai that that would be a question you should direct to Ms. Kamiya. I think that you know all you need to now." Aoshi takes another sip of his tea and sits back. He looks at Misao who is still slightly shell-shocked.
She shakes her head and directs her anger at the Ice-man next to her. "Aoshi!" Misao practically screams.
"Yes, Misao?" He says exasperated. Obviously he was hoping she would forget he was there and simply fight with Kenshin. He is wrong.
"Why. On Earth. Would you want HIM here?" She points to Kenshin. "Don't you see you're making more trouble for us than we need?"
"I assure you Misao Himu-…Battosai," he corrects himself "is on our side."
"But…Kaoru already has one murderer after her she doesn't need a second one…" She is cut off by Kenshin at this point.
"I assure you Misao that I would Never hurt Kaoru…never." His gaze settles on the girl and she can't help but shiver.
Aoshi glances at his watch and then back at Misao. "Well now that we're all on the same page I trust that you will take over from here?" He glances to Kenshin and when he nods he begins to stand, once he glances to Misao he pauses before leaving. "I believe now would be a good time to go fetch Miss. Kamiya Misao…" He pointedly looks at her. "Try to keep her from being suspicious, I kept her out of this so that she wouldn't worry."
Misao nods her understanding. "Yeah…she'd totally freak out if she knew."
"Misao…" Kenshin smiles at her his eyes completely violet now. "Tell her that Shinomori here simply wanted to make sure that I knew who she was before our date tonight." He grins and notices Aoshi's brow lift just slightly.
Misao gasps and stands up. "Crap! I better go get her before she worries! Besides I have to make sure that she's ready tonight."
Kenshin nods. "It's 4 o'clock now. I trust that you'll make sure she is here and ready by seven."
Misao grins. "Yeah! She'll be ready alright and I bet you won't even recognize her when I'm done with her!"
Aoshi shakes his head and begins to leave but stops at the door. "Don't forget Misao…don't let her know what's going on. Oh..." He smiles at her, "And don't make her too unrecognizable…I don't think our friend here would appreciate it if he came to pick her up and walked right past her." Misao blushes and nods to Aoshi. With that he leaves the room. 'This will defiantly be interesting.'
Once Aoshi is gone Misao looks at Kenshin. "Don't worry I won't let her bail on you! She will defiantly be ready by 7 and she'll look Amazing!" With that declaration she skips out the door to go and find her best friend.
Left alone in the room Kenshin sighs and sips his tea slowly slipping into his thoughts.
