Chapter 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin
It had been four weeks since she'd been attacked, two weeks since she'd been released from the hospital into Kenshin's care, and if he asked one more time if she was comfortable of needed anything, Kaoru was going to scream! She loved the man to distraction, but his constant hovering was getting on her nerves. Ever since the attack, he couldn't stand to be away from her for even a few minutes. She'd felt like cheering when he'd gone to work this morning, ready for a few hours of peace and quiet.
She was currently residing in Kenshin's apartment, her broken bones making it impossible to stay by herself. She had finally gotten the brace off her right hand and she'd almost kissed Megumi, so happy was she to have regained the use of a hand. It still galled her that she had to have her food cut up like a child.
Since they weren't sure if the house was safe of not, Yahiko was currently living with Hiko since Kenshin didn't have a spare room. Also, all of her kendo classes were cancelled until she was fully healed. So here she sat, sick of the slow rate of healing, bored out of her mind, and missing her brother. They'd only had each other for so long now, it was strange not seeing him each day.
Sighing, she stared out the window, not really seeing the world outside. Mentally reviewing the past few weeks, she felt conflicted. Kenshin had been so sweet, even when bullying her to take care of herself, that he heart melted a little more each day. However, she was still struggling with her fears and doubts, one of which was Tomoe. Still, Kenshin had been very patient with her and he deserved the chance to explain his thoughts and feelings. Suddenly making up her mind, she decided to ask him about her at dinner.
X
Kenshin glanced at Kaoru who was sitting at the table watching him cook. She was chewing on her lower lip, a sure sign that she was worried about something. Pausing in his cooking, he walked over and tapped her lightly on the nose, chuckling when her eyes shot up to his. "What's troubling you, koi?"
She looked slightly shamefaced, but straightened her shoulders resolutely. "I wanted to ask about you and Tomoe, about your relationship. I've seen her and she's beautiful, refined and elegant." She fidgeted slightly. "I guess what I'm trying to ask is: Why me and not her?"
Kenshin stared at her in surprise but he was slightly shocked that he hadn't seen this one coming. Motioning for her to wait, he turned and shut off the stove, taking the time to organize his thoughts. Finally, he made his way back to the table and sat across from her. He reached for her hand, but she flinched away slightly, so he abandoned it for now. "I'm glad that you asked me, koi. Never be afraid to ask me anything, don't let it fester and worry all alone."
She nodded slowly, "I'll try, but it's hard. I'm scared that you'll laugh and think I'm silly."
"Anything that worries you is not silly, I promise you. To answer your question, Tomoe and I are good friends, nothing more. In fact, I rather think of her like a sister."
Kaoru blurted, "But you dated her!"
He nodded gravely, unconcerned by her outburst. "Shortly after I graduated from the academy, I was very lonely. I admit that I found her attractive and she seemed lonely as well, so we started to date. It was warm and comfortable, but there was no spark. We agreed on nearly everything, rarely argued, she was always so cool and collected. There was no excitement, no passion, so we eventually decided to just be friends. A few weeks later, I walked down the hall and found Tomoe arguing fiercely with Akira, over how to load a copier of all things, and I realized what was missing from our relationship. We didn't challenge each other, didn't bring out strong emotions of either happiness or anger, we were merely comfortable. That's when I decided that I wouldn't pursue anyone that didn't touch me deeply."
She protested, "But I didn't do anything when we first met."
He reached for her hand again and this time, she let him take it. "The night we first met, we'd just wrapped up the Carpenter case."
Kaoru winced, she'd seen that case on the news. It had been heart wrenching and she suspected that the news hadn't shared the full horror of it. She squeezed his hand gently in support.
"That night, all I wanted to do was get drunk and go home, forget all about the case. I was this close to handing in my resignation and just walking away. I felt like the weight of the world was crushing me. Then a woman with luminous sapphire eyes sat down, touched my hand, and told me that despite everything, I'd still won, that I was still there. Suddenly I could breathe again, could feel things slipping back into place, and the knot in my chest finally eased. But before I had a chance to say a word, you were walking away and I knew I couldn't let you go, so I chased after you."
He tucked an unruly strand of hair behind her ear. "I can be a very scary person, but you've never feared me. You eat off my plate, laugh at me, shamelessly steal my coats, and blow up my kitchen." He ignored her cry of protest. "Also, you slip your hand into mine when we walk, brighten my world with shared laughter, let me steal kisses, and make me a home in your heart. Kaoru, you challenge me, comfort me, complete me. I will never want anyone but you and only you. I love you, koi."
"Oh, Kenshin." She leaned across and kissed him softly.
He was about to deepen the kiss when her stomach rumbled insistently, causing her to blush. Pulling back, he couldn't resist dropping a quick kiss on the tip of her nose before standing up. "Let me finish up dinner so I can feed you, koi. We can talk more afterwards if you want."
X
Still easily tired and relieved that their talk about Tomoe had helped clear up her doubts, Kaoru opted to turn in early. Kenshin and she were sharing his bed because he'd stubbornly refused to let her sleep alone in case she needed something during the night. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but the feel of his strong arms wrapped around her was a feeling Kaoru was quickly becoming addicted to.
She drifted off easily, pleasantly enveloped in Kenshin's warmth. However, the apartment was pitch black when she suddenly woke up and bolted upright. Kenshin was awake instantly at her movement, flipping on the bedside lamp and looking at her, concerned. Ignoring the pain shooting through her ribs, she fisted her good hand in his shirt and begged, her voice a breathless sob. "Yahiko, I need to see Yahiko. I need you to take me to him, I need to see him. He needs me. Please, Kenshin."
He soothed her and grabbed his phone. "I'll have Hiko bring him here. Hold on, koi, just breathe."
The phone barely rang twice when Hiko answered it. "I'll be at your apartment in two minutes. Yahiko needs to see Kaoru." Then he hung up.
"They'll be here in just a minute, they were already on their way. I'm going to go let them in, so why don't you lay back down."
He helped her ease back down and fetched her a pain pill before leaving the bedroom. Only a few moments had passed when she heard the murmur of male voices then the sound of running footsteps. Yahiko burst into the room, looking as wild eyed as she felt. She opened her arms and he dove into the bed, careful not to jostle her. The siblings clung desperately to each other and wept.
X
Kenshin softly closed the bedroom door and padded back to the living room. Slumping on the couch, he reported wearily, "They're both asleep, curled so tightly around each other you couldn't get a grain of rice between them. How did you know that Kaoru needed him?"
Hiko took another sip of sake, looking thoughtful, before answering. "It was the oddest thing. Yahiko suddenly pounded on my bedroom door, his face bone white, insisting that Kaoru needed him. He didn't even give me the time to call, insisted that she needed him right then. We were in the car before I knew what'd happened and on our way here. Imagine my surprise when you called right after that."
Kenshin puzzled over it for a few moment before shrugging, too tired to unravel it. Standing with a groan, he said, "Come on, I'll drive you home."
A/N: So things are quickly coming to a conclusion, there will be only one, maybe two more chapters.
Reviews are appreciated.
