Mornings After
By hye kyo
Disclaimer: Nope, RK isn't mine…
Author's Notes: So I was planning on combining chap25 and 26 but that would ruin my plan so instead I cut it at the part where I knew it would get frustrating, Kaoru, Kenshin and Tomoe…all of them would be very frustrating. But don't worry, next chap Kenshin would be doing some admitting…
Chapter twenty-five: fluff and bluff
--
They went to the movies the day after. Kenshin held her hand as they tried to find their way through the dark.
"Here," he said and allowed her to sit down.
"I told you I don't like this film," she frowned. She glanced at Kenshin.
"There's no other movie showing," he told her. She looked at the screen, watching the trailers.
"Hey," he whispered. He realized they were alone in the cinema.
"Hn?"
"This film is quite unpopular," he murmured.
"I told you so," she hissed. She looked around and found the seats empty. "We should've just done something else."
"Like?"
"Like…something else."
He laughed. "I feel like this is a date."
And she laughed too. "Shut up." And the movie started.
--
Kaoru was pushing him as they made their way to the grocery. She said they'd play monopoly when they get home, but that they should fill his cupboards first.
"Kaoru, don't push me," he said smiling.
"You're lazy," and she pushed him again.
She almost tripped when he abruptly stopped. She frowned, looked at him and said, "Kenshin what the—" and that was when she saw Tomoe. Kaoru quickly took a step back and brought her hands to rest at her sides.
"Tomoe," Kenshin murmured.
Kaoru glanced at Tomoe. She was smiling at Kenshin as she approached.
"Hi," she said. She turned to Kaoru, "Hi Kaoru-san."
"Hi," she smiled, trying to avoid her eyes.
"I was trying to contact you," she said, suddenly ignoring Kaoru.
"Yes, I left my phone somewhere. I have yet to search for it," he glanced at Kaoru who smiled slightly. Kaoru knew he turned his phone off. He said he wanted to give her all his time.
"I called your sister, she told me she doesn't know where you are," and Tomoe gave Kaoru a look. "Well, it seems that you're a bit busy."
He smiled, scratched the back of his head and said, "Yeah."
"There's something I would want to talk to you about," she murmured.
And it was then that Kaoru panicked. She doesn't know what Tomoe would tell Kenshin. She thought maybe that Tomoe would finally tell him she is still in love with him. Kaoru knew that by telling him that, Kenshin would…
Kaoru held his sleeve, "Hey."
He managed to look at her.
"Let's go home," she whispered.
"Ah…" he glanced at Tomoe. "I don't have much time—"
"Please Kenshin," Tomoe inched closer.
Kaoru tugged at his sleeve once again. When he didn't glance at her she knew it was a lost cause. She released him.
"Well," he thought hard.
"Please," Tomoe urged.
He turned to Kaoru, "I'll be back by seven." He smiled, when she didn't return the smile he said, "What would you like for dinner?"
"Don't worry," Kaoru said, avoiding his eyes. She knew that it wasn't right to be jealous because as far as she was concerned she and Kenshin do not have any relationship whatsoever.
"Kaoru."
"I'll have pizza delivered," she said and she turned to Tomoe, bowed and then at Kenshin. She simply nodded at him and she hurried to the exit.
Somehow it hurt. She closed her eyes as she felt pain.
--
Kaoru had spread the monopoly board, had been playing alone for two hours when the doorbell rang. She looked at the clock, found that it was already seven in the evening. Kenshin said he'd be home by seven and she hurried to door only to find a delivery boy at the doorstep.
She opened the pizza box, left it at the coffee table and picked a slice. She lay on the couch, popping pepperoni into her mouth. Maybe she ought to go home now. She called yesterday and the owner said the unit beside hers would be occupied in two weeks or maybe even less. The guards were increased and alarms were put up. CCTVs were also installed. She knew it was safe to go home. So she'd probably do so.
She turned the TV on only to turn it off again. She was bored. She missed him already. Maybe she should call him but that would be unethical and pathetic of her. But then again, he left his phone at home. She wiped her fingers with a napkin and went to his bedroom.
She lay on the bed, extended her arms and legs, rolled and ended lying face down on the bed. She could feel and smell Kenshin. She inhaled deeper, if only he was here.
Kaoru stood up and decided to take a bath. At least it will take some time. At least for a good half an hour she wouldn't be bored waiting for him.
--
Kenshin slowly opened the door. He knew Kaoru would get mad. He told her he'd be home by seven but it was now eleven in the evening. He locked the door as he entered, it was a good thing he brought a key with him. He had given Kaoru a duplicate.
He found a pizza box, only a fourth of the slices left on the coffee table. The couch was empty, aside from the pillows haphazardly thrown here and there. He smiled, so Kaoru was really bored. He picked up the pillows, arranged them on the couch and decided to look for her upstairs.
He found the guestroom empty. He knew she doesn't want to stay there. It was just a means to heighten his excitement at finding her. He knew where she was all along. He went to his bedroom.
And true enough she was on the bed, curled into a ball. Her hair was disheveled, probably from the tossing and turning she had been doing. Kaoru was wearing just an oversized shirt of his, the hem pushed up and showing the entirety of her lower limbs until the waist garter of her underwear. He smiled, her underwear was of a baby pink hue. He tugged at the hem of the shirt and pulled it down to cover her.
And that's when she stirred. Kaoru rubbed her eyes, opened them and stared at him. She furrowed her brows as she shook off the last remnants of sleep. "Kenshin?"
He nodded.
She sat up quickly, unaware of her lack of clothes, "You're late!"
Kenshin apologized.
Kaoru yawned, "What time is it?"
"Eleven, almost eleven thirty actually," he smiled apologetically.
She frowned, gave him a playful punch and said, "We didn't get to play monopoly."
"Let's play now if you want."
"I'm sleepy already."
"Yeah because you're full. You ate the whole box." He teased her.
"I didn't!" she pouted, "Don't turn me around Kenshin."
He laughed, "Hmm…" he sniffed, "Did you take a bath?"
"Yeah…so?"
"For the first time you smell good Kaoru," and he laughed out loud.
"Dummy!" and she pushed him. "Get out, I'm sleepy." And she went back to stretch on the bed.
"In case you have forgotten, this is my bed you are lying on."
"Mmm…" she yawned, "I'm sleepy."
He stood up, "I'll just take a bath."
"Make it quick," she murmured, "And come here."
Kenshin ruffled her hair. He could get used to this.
--
He slipped beside her. "Hey," he whispered into her ear.
She opened one sleepy eye. She turned around and said, "Hn?"
"What do you want to do tomorrow?" he asked.
She had her eyes closed. She was drifting off to sleep again.
"Hey," he insisted, pulling her closer.
"Hmm…" she muttered and then, "Let's just…stay inside…"
He frowned, "Why?"
She buried her face in his chest, muffling a yawn.
"Kaoru," he smiled at her face. He could feel her bare legs against his under the quilt.
She mumbled wordless noises and then, "Keep you inside…no one…just me…and you…" and then there were wordless noises again.
It almost made him laugh. So she was getting possessive. He liked that. And he'd probably like it more if they would talk about it. Seriously this time.
--
She yawned. Kaoru opened her eyes and was surprised to see Kenshin in bed beside her. She really couldn't remember him coming home last night. She would have to scold him, he probably came late and she would lecture him about keeping his promises and about punctuality. A man like him needed to learn his manners.
She rested her head back on the pillow and stared at his sleeping face. Most probably this is love. She tried to deny it but it only made things difficult for her, letting it out without really articulating about it was much easier.
"Hello sleepy head," he murmured as he opened his eyes.
She quickly put on an irritated face, "What time did you come home last night?"
He smiled, closed his eyes and said, "Eleven thirty?"
"I won't believe you next time," she murmured as she sat up.
He smiled and wound an arm around her to pull her back on the bed. "It's still early."
--
Kaoru was waiting for the delivery and for Kenshin to emerge from the bath when her cell phone rang. She frowned, unfamiliar with the number on her screen. Nevertheless she picked it up and said, "Hello? Who is this?"
There was a hesitant pause and finally, "This is Tomoe."
Her eyes widened despite herself. She immediately stood up, walked over to the door and in a hushed voice asked, "How did you…" she trailed off. She knew how she got her number was not the matter here.
"I got it from Kenshin's sister."
So Misao would definitely ask her as to why Tomoe, who was entirely, save for the very brief introduction years ago, unfamiliar to and with her, asked for her number.
"Could we meet somewhere? I have something important to tell you?"
Kaoru looked at her watch. The Chinese delivery would be here anytime. "Could you wait after lunch?"
"Sure," there was a pause and then, "Are you with Kenshin?"
Kaoru didn't want to answer. "I am his friend." There. She doesn't know why she had to say it. But well, that saved her from needing to explain why she was with him in the first place.
"Of course," Tomoe's arrogant tone was in now in place.
"Where?" she cleared her throat. In as much as she doesn't want to talk to Tomoe she couldn't possibly not accept her invitation. Besides she wanted to know why Tomoe was still around Kenshin, even if Tomoe had told her before the reason was love. She still couldn't get it. In any case she was there as Kenshin's friend.
And Tomoe told her where. Her tone was even, a bit arrogant, demanding but nevertheless calm, despite the tiny, almost non-existent tone of excitement in her voice. Kaoru wondered.
"Okay," Kaoru said, "Around three."
"It's up to you if you want to tell Kenshin."
"Precisely," Kaoru tried to sound authoritative, "Why do I have to tell him anyway?"
"Do you think this is simply some female bonding?"
Kaoru smirked. Tomoe had bad humor. "Isn't it?" she retorted back.
Tomoe let out a dry laugh, "You could joke." And then a pause, "I'll see you later."
"Okay," and then there was a click. And the call ended.
--
They were eating Chinese when Kaoru said, "I've called the owner yesterday."
Kenshin wiped the side of Kaoru's mouth with a napkin, "Yeah? What did he or she say?"
"He," she corrected, "He said at least two weeks from now the unit beside mine would be occupied."
"Two weeks?" he seemed to frown, "That would probably take much longer."
"I guess so too," she nodded and then fished out a kung pao chicken from the foil.
"Besides even if they move in their stuff after two weeks do you think they intend to stay there right away?" he asked, eyeing her from the corner of his eyes.
"I did. I slept there right after transferring all my things at the apartment."
Kenshin frowned again, "Yeah but well…"
Kaoru smiled. "Okay, just spit it out. You don't want me to leave yet?"
Kenshin looked away. "I didn't say anything about that."
"Yeah right," and she laughed hard.
He sneered at her, concentrating on his dumplings. "Whatever Kaoru."
--
By the time they had collected the trash, Kaoru said, "I have to go out for an hour or so."
"Now?"
"What time is it?" she looked at Kenshin's wristwatch.
"Where are you going?" he was looking at her seriously.
"Just going to buy something."
"I'm coming with you."
She frowned at him, "No need. I'm going to come back quickly anyway."
"Kaoru," he admonished.
"Kenshin," she grinned. "I'll be out in twenty. I'll just get changed."
--
Tomoe was already there when she arrived. Kaoru nodded at her as she turned at her direction, walked over to her and bowed slightly in acknowledgement.
"I'm sorry I was late," Kaoru said as she took a seat.
"I'm just early," Tomoe said. She beckoned to a waiter. She was already sipping tea.
Kaoru ordered the same and slowly looked back at her, "I can't stay long."
"What did you tell Kenshin?" she asked, one brow arching up.
"It doesn't matter," she said.
"Do you like him?" Tomoe asked, leaning forward.
Kaoru was taken aback. "What?"
"You are in love with him. You fear that I would take him away."
Kaoru frowned, not liking the arrogant tone in her voice, "You assume a lot Tomoe."
"Yeah?" she laughed softly, "I tell it the way I see it. You're very transparent Kaoru-san."
She looked away, fuming, "So what if I am in love with him?"
"You shouldn't be," Tomoe said, settling back on her seat.
"W-what?"
She smiled, "He still loves me."
And Kaoru couldn't retort back. Because she knew Tomoe was right. She hated the fact that Tomoe was still going through with this argument. Maybe she just simply wanted to irritate her. Maybe this is more than déjà vu of their earlier conversation.
"I have something to tell you."
She slowly looked back at her.
"I am not getting married anymore."
Kaoru's eyes widened, not believing what she heard. Perhaps she heard it wrong or Tomoe actually said something else but her mind was telling her Tomoe would be saying something like that that was why she actually thought she heard Tomoe say it. "Come again?"
Tomoe smiled, looked out in the window and said, "I couldn't believe it myself. In fact all those times that I was preparing for the wedding all I could ever think of was Kenshin."
"What?" Kaoru asked. Now she was feeling angry.
"I'm going back to him."
Kaoru stood up from her seat, "Aren't you selfish? If all those times you were thinking of Kenshin then why did you leave him in the first place?" Kaoru couldn't believe she would be asking her the same question again.
Tomoe lifted her eyes to meet hers and after a while crossed her arms across her chest. Leaning against her seat she said, "For a friend you care too much."
"Why don't you answer?" Kaoru knew people were looking at them. She doesn't care. She doesn't care what the heck those people think.
"Why don't you sit down and not make a scene?"
Kaoru took in a deep breath. Tomoe could really make a fool out of her. She looked away and slowly sat down.
"I never did really want to leave him."
"Then why did you?" Kaoru clenched her fists.
"Because I had to."
"You had to?"
Tomoe smiled, a sad small smile that seemed to say she was looking at something from somewhere far away. "My parents wanted me to."
"Why?" somehow Kaoru felt a pang of pity for her.
Tomoe shrugged, the sad small smile replaced by a frown. "They didn't want Kenshin."
"They didn't?" Kaoru never knew about this.
"But of course I didn't tell him. Nothing was wrong with him. It was my parents' mistake."
"But why didn't you fight for him?"
She shrugged again, the cool and composed façade already gone.
"Tomoe I—"
"I thought eventually I'd be happy. But well, I wasn't. I was always thinking if Kenshin was here he'd do this or that…if Kenshin was—" she stopped.
Kaoru felt bad.
"I should've fought for him," and Tomoe suddenly looked tired.
Kaoru couldn't speak. Somehow she felt as if all the things she had been doing were futile. She wanted to comfort Kenshin, she hated Tomoe after knowing she left him for someone else, she felt good about herself being his savior. But now as she listened to her, she realized she wasn't needed in the way she thought she was. This was their story. She was merely an episodic figment. She wasn't supposed to be there anymore.
"But now," Tomoe took in a deep breath, "I can do what I want."
Kaoru nodded.
"I want Kenshin back."
And Kaoru felt pain in her chest. She knew Tomoe would definitely get him back. "Why are you telling me this anyway?"
She smiled, "Because you are his friend."
Kaoru furrowed her brows.
"Because I wanted you to know. Before you fall harder."
So Kaoru should be grateful for her concern. She stood up, "I guess I heard enough."
"Are you going to tell him?" Tomoe asked.
"I won't. You should tell him," and she foraged for her wallet.
"I'll get it," Tomoe offered.
Kaoru nodded, "Thanks." And she turned on her heel.
"Kaoru," Tomoe called.
She stopped, her back turned to her.
"Thanks for taking care of him while I was gone," she was smiling.
Kaoru closed her eyes and felt tears. She waved a hand as if to say "Don't mention it" and she continued walking. She knew whatever hope she had in her heart had probably died by now.
--
A/n: So this is chap 35. How was it? Frustrating…I'd upload chap26 soon, as soon as three days from now…promise…