Disclaimer: I do not own RK. As always, the recognition goes to Sir Watsuki =)
~o~o~o~
She held her chin as she examined the items on display. She checked on each pair of shoes, and she would pause to think if that style and color would suit her brother well – and if her picky brother would actually like it. Kaoru recalled how Yahiko complained for a new pair of rubber shoes. And now that she had her salary, Kaoru intended to give him something special. It's his seventeenth birthday after all – and it's about time to get one unsuspecting brother surprised.
"Excuse me, do you have size 8.5 for this?", she took the blue-and-white basketball shoes from the topmost display and waved at the saleslady.
"Let me check, Ma'am." The saleslady took the shoes from Kaoru and went to the stock room.
Kaoru dialled their house phone number while waiting for the requested pair to arrive.
"Hello? Who is this?" The roosterhead quickly picked up the phone.
"Sano.. It's me..", Kaoru answered back in a gentler voice.
It took Sanosuke some precious seconds before he was able to identify the owner of that distinct voice. "Oh – Kaoru!", the tall guy chuckled upon realization.
"How are you? How's the nanny life going?"
"I'm doing good.. Can't complain, really."
Kaoru could not believe the words that came out of her own mouth. Imagine, the great Kaoru Kamiya – who makes job hopping a hobby – actually said she cannot complain about her work? Was it April fool's day?
"Actually, Sano – I called to tell you that I'm planning on something."
"Uh-huh.. Go on, I'm listening."
"You see, today is Yahiko's birthday. And the plan is to throw him a party this evening.. You know, just the three of us. But the thing is – "
"Ssshh.. Hold on a sec, missy.." Kaoru then heard Sanosuke and her brother talking on the background.
"Who is that, Sano?"
"Who else? It's your sister. And she said she's planning to give you a birthday party this evening. My, Yahiko – you didn't even tell me it's your birthday today?"
Sano, it was supposed to be a secret! She wanted to yell at Sano if she can. But the damage was already done – and good little brother Yahiko already knew about her coming home that day, even if he was not supposed to. Now that the first part of her presumably well-thought plan was already spoiled, Kaoru could only frown in disappointment. So much for the surprise party.
The jolly young brother, ecstatic about the whole idea, grabbed the phone from Sanosuke right away. "Oi ugly! Is it true? You're coming home tonight or what?"
"Yeah, I'll be home later.", she confirmed. "I just need to do a few more errands and I'll be ready to go."
Yahiko only nodded his head in approval. "And oh – I almost forgot. I need to tell my boss first. You know, it's really hard to ask for a whole day leave. So I'll just tell him I'll take a leave this afternoon." The teenager heard his sister explain about some rules he really didn't care about.
"Doesn't matter – but promise me you'll be coming. Okay? And don't forget the food! We're starving here.."
The sister laughed softly. "Okay, little Yahiko. I promise!"
"How many times do I have to tell you.. Drop that little already!", Yahiko was shouting from the other line. How could his sister not spare the teasing even on his birthday?
Kaoru dropped the call after being called ugly the second time around. Can she demand a nicer description next time? Perhaps, pretty elder sister would do.
Nevertheless, Kaoru was excited that day. She will get to see her brother again. How long has it been? Almost three months? She wondered if Yahiko got any taller – by a few noticeable centimetres at least. But actually, Kaoru would not be surprised if he didn't.
~o~o~o~
"You're not going with us, mommy?" Kenji made another attempt to convince his mommy Kaoru. His arms wrapped around her waist.
"Not today, baby." She looked down at the little boy and stroked his ponytailed hair.
"But why not?"
"Because mommy needs to talk to daddy Kenshin – that's why."
"What are you going to talk about?" Kenji curled his brows and he was not yet ready to let go. Maybe a little more push can convince his mommy Kaoru to join him at school.
"Nothing really special. I just want to know how daddy is doing. Now go on – " She ushered the kid to the back row of the family vehicle. Tae, the substitute nanny for the day, followed after.
" – and do good at class. Always listen to your teacher. And don't forget to eat your sandwich. Okay baby?"
"Yes mommy." Kenji replied though he was a bit disappointed.
"That's my good baby boy." Kaoru playfully pinched his cheeks before planting a kiss on his forehead. "Take care you all!" She said before shutting the back door close.
The child quickly pressed the button to open the window. "Bye mommy!"
"Bye Kenji! I'll see you tomorrow!" Kaoru waved back at the SUV that slowly departed the garage.
Kenji returned to his seat, and his innocent eyes looked at Tae – confused. Why did his mommy say they will see each other tomorrow – and not later? The kid quickly shrugged it off. Maybe he just heard it wrong.
As soon as the car disappeared from sight, Kaoru dialled her best friend's phone number. If Kaoru wanted to file for a leave, then she had to set an appointment with the boss via his secretary. She heard it was his protocol.
"Hello?"
"Hey Misao, can you check Sir Kenshin's schedule today? Do you know what time he is available?"
"Sir Ken? But he did not go to the office today, Kaoru. I tried calling him but he didn't answer. Where are you now?"
"I'm at the mansion. But I'll be going home later.."
"Then go check if Sir Ken is still there. A lot of people are looking for him.. and I'm kind of panicking right now. I don't know what to tell them. Please Kaoru."
"Okay. But if – " Kaoru was cut off by the busy phone sound. How could that weasel girl just hang up on her like that?
Kaoru looked around the house for the missing boss, but her gut feeling led her to the master bedroom. Kenshin was most likely lurking in the comforts of his own private space, if he was in the house indeed.
She knocked on the door, but no one answered. "S-sir Ken?", she peeked through the slightly-opened door.
After much deliberation with her so-called shyness, Kaoru dared to open it wide – to reveal that someone was lying on the bed. She tiptoed inside to confirm if it was indeed her boss. Come on, Kaoru. Who else do you think it was?
Kaoru looked at the boss' sleeping form, and her instincts told her something was not right.
There the red-haired boss was – lying on the bed covered in thick blanket. His body was shaking and tiny drops of sweat invade his forehead. Kaoru moved closer and put her palm on his head – it was burning hot!
Kaoru's snappy thinking got her grabbing a basin of cold water and towel almost instantly, her mind still in disbelief at how the seemingly invincible boss got sick all of a sudden.
She damped the towel before putting it on his forehead. The boss twitched at the sudden touch of cold on his skin. As he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Kaoru's worried face – and Kenshin wondered what she was doing there.
"Sorry to wake you up, Sir Ken." Kaoru said as her hand gently pressed against his skin. She began wiping his arms to contain his body temperature, then she noticed that his shirt was damp with sweat too.
"Sorry, Sir.. But I need to remove your shirt." The nanny was too shy to even say that – but she had to. Or else he might catch a cold.
Kaoru assisted the boss up and she held his arms to remove the wet shirt – very slowly and carefully. Afterwards, she laid Kenshin back on the bed. And she – hold it right there!
Kenshin's half-naked body bared its prowess right in front of her amused blue eyes. Toned muscular arms – check! Sturdy-looking chest – check! Abs chiselled to perfection? Triple check!
Kaoru suddenly felt the room was too suffocating it became hard to breathe. And she also felt the blood rising through her veins, tinting her face in rich red color. Can someone tell her for real – is her Sir Kenshin too damn perfect or what? Oh Kami, I must have done something good to deserve this!
She was still recuperating from the distraction of her boss' physique, when Kaoru heard Kenshin moan. Yes, moan. He must be complaining about something – maybe a headache or a muscle pain?
But Kaoru did not seem to mind – because that low, husky voice tickling her senses was all she could hear. And it was just too much for her to bear. Heat check! Someone's about to explode in three, two, one…
Luckily, humans don't have the ability to blow themselves up at such circumstances. However, they do have the tendency to be temporarily paralyzed. Case in point – the nanny sitting by Kenshin's bedside.
"It's.. cold.." Kenshin said half-consciously, his jaws trembling involuntarily.
Kaoru returned to her concerned self and she put a new shirt on the boss. After that, she stood up to quickly prepare a meal.
"Sir Kenshin?" Kaoru gently tapped his shoulder to wake him up. "You need to eat something."
Kenshin got to his senses and he saw the nanny holding a bowl of noodles. "Careful Sir – the soup is still hot."
Kaoru blew on the spoonful first before giving the serving to her boss. Kenshin would naturally hesitate at first. Why? Because he is Kenshin Himura! And a man with such a high stature doesn't just open his mouth to the nanny like one gullible, obedient kid.
But the persuasive look on her eyes made Kenshin oblige. Whatever force of nature made him do it – he did not know. All Kenshin knew was that he did not hate being fed by her. And as far as his mature self can remember, nobody had ever done that to him before.
~o~o~o~
One strong muscle twitch woke Kaoru up from her slumber. She saw the boss still sleeping soundly on the bed. Kaoru wondered how long her nap had been? Thirty minutes maybe.
She checked her watch – it read 10:19. Kaoru would've just let it pass. But as she stood up, she saw her shoulder bag, two boxes of made-to-order goodies, her gift, and the cake – all lying on the couch. Those were for what again? Yes, they were all for the brother's birthday. And what was the time again? It's ten nineteen – in the evening!
"Oi ugly! Is it true? You're coming home tonight or what?... but promise me you'll be coming… you'll be coming… promise me… promise…"
Looks like one ugly elder sister has got to do a lot of explaining. Kaoru rushed to leave the mansion, her conscience reminding her of that one time she gave a lecture to her brother: "Yahiko, you should never make promises you can't keep."
Now, look who's talking.
~o~o~o~
A/N: Thanks to all of you, I'm already on the tenth chapter of this story. It was harder to put up than all the others, but it's a milestone for me (*smiling widely*).
Thank you for all the love and support. I honestly want to be friends with you guys =)
See you all on the next chapter. Who knows, maybe Kaoru would be called "ugly" for the rest of her life? Or maybe not?
Please let me know what you think of this chapter and this story. Appreciate it a lot ;)