Of Secrets and Lies
Chapter Twenty-nine
Ephemeral Tranquillity
"Happiness is just an illusion caused by the temporary absence of reality."
(Unknown, Don't Own).
"Oro!"
"AHHHH! KENSHIN GET OUT OF HERE YOU HENTAI!"
"Gomenasai Kaoru-dono!"
There was a fain whizzing sound quickly punctuated by another distressed 'Oro' as a delicate pink bar of rose smelling soap was launched through the air and met it's target's head. The bar quickly split into a dozen pieces and the victim momentarily forgot his situation as he kneeled down on the tiled floor to pick up the pink remainders. This turned out to be the wrong course of action as the next missile was a full bottle of conditioner.
"I SAID GET OUT! MOU! YOU RED HAIRED BAKA, GET OUT NOW!"
Knowing better than to push his luck, he regretfully left the last chunk of soap and scurried out of the bathroom before anymore objects could be flung at him. He rubbed the new bruise that was appearing on the back of his head and sighed as he dropped the fragments of soap into the waste paper bucket in his bedroom. From the bathroom he could hear the shower has resumed running again, a few moments later and a few irregular choruses of distant singing could be heard. He sighed and leaned back on his bed glancing at the ceiling.
Perhaps he should have listened more carefully before he had barged into the bathroom, if he had of then he may have noticed that it was otherwise occupied, perhaps he may have spared himself a large bruise and a shattered bar of soap. Calling him a hentai was a bit of an exaggeration though...he hadn't actually seen anything...just her silhouette from behind the blue shower curtain...and maybe a bit of skin as she screamed and tugged the thing around her body to preserve her dignity. 'She had every right to over-react...' Kenshin tried not to imagine if there was a role reversal of the situation. It probably would have been embarrassing for him and he knew Kaoru wouldn't be able to look at him for days afterwards.
'But still...'
Kenshin closed his eyes and inhaled trying to meditate. There was no 'but stills' or 'if only' in his vocabulary; it was an accident plain and simple, one which he would not be so careless as to repeat. He should not and would not imagine the scenario any further. It was off limits. Closed. Blocked. Out of his mind, he had immaculate self control and will power and discipline which he could exercise over himself. He would not be selfish and give in to mere...whim. 'Kaoru-dono isn't a whim...she is a very good friend and I won't mess things up and complicate them anymore.' That was all there was to it. He exhaled gently pushing away the little voices in his head. Self control. Will power. Discipline.
'That boy gave her his mobile number...'
The thought appeared from nowhere but it caused his eyes to snap open. That boy, Higurashiyama had given Kaoru his mobile number...he obviously liked Kaoru. There was nothing wrong with that, Kaoru had a lot of admirable qualities, it wasn't a surprise people would want to be friends with Kaoru. Friends, best friends, lovers. He shut his eyes, it wasn't his business. Not his concern. Then the mental image of Kaoru locked in an embrace and kiss with another mysterious man appeared and Kenshin fought the urge to slice and dice him for a brief, lingering moment.
He sat upright feeling restless. The shower was still on and the out of tune singing continued, the feared Hitokiri looked at his bedroom feeling irritated. It was clean, spotless, neat and tidy. There were no little odd-jobs in his room that needed doing. No little quirks in the rest of the sterile, squeaky clean house. Kaoru thought that he was insane and had an obsessive compulsive disorder in cleaning. Kenshin enjoyed cleaning; it distracted him and allowed him to wash away the stains of life in shower of hot soapy water. Kenshin had spent all morning cleaning the house out of habit to make it perfect for Doctor Gensai's arrival that afternoon. Of course it was all unnecessary as Ayame and Suzume would probably mess it up again in a matter of seconds but still it gave him something to do.
'Kaoru-dono's room is always untidy, perhaps sessha should-'
Kenshin cut off his mental train instantly. He had once attempted to clean Kaoru's room but had ended up being screamed at with multiple books flung at his head for intruding on her private, personal space. The room remained an untouched sea of chaos that made Kenshin's hands twitch for the wash basket, hover and duster. 'Kaoru-dono is the shower...' Whispered his mind innocently. Kenshin clenched his teeth closing his eyes and tried to inhale and count to ten.
-' And if she finds you then you can just make up some excuse, dodge the heavy objects and make her some chocolate cake as an apology. She'll forgive you.' Kenshin opened his eyes and stared at the two doors in front of him. One lead to the bathroom and the other to the hall where the door to Kaoru's bedroom would be. The idea was tempting...she was hiding things from him. What if the answer lay in the mysterious bedroom? It was tempting...just for a minute. He wouldn't leave any evidence of his presence...just for a minute.
Before Kenshin could summon up the power to stop himself he was already in the hall with his hand upon the bedroom door. He pushed it open and winced at the scene before him. 'No...Cleaning...she'll notice and kill me. Then resurrect me and kill me again. No cleaning.' His hands twitched feverishly as his eyes locked with the sheer amount of mess before him. The bedroom curtains were drawn, the bed unmade with sheets thrown haphazardly across it. A few books littered the floor along with discarded clothes and underwear. He tried not to look at the underwear as it provoked more thoughts and feelings that he shouldn't be feeling and thinking. The dressing table was littered with stray cans of body spray and deodorant along with a tube of foundation.
Edging his way through the chaos he picked up the foundation curiously. This was the mask she was putting on each day to fool him, but why? It wasn't out of the ordinary to be tired, due to the amount of stress she had been suffering the past few months it wasn't any wonder she was loosing sleep but then sometimes at night he heard her talking and moaning in her slumber. 'I think that it's out of choice Kaoru-dono is loosing sleep.' But then why would she put herself through that? Nightmares was the most obvious answer...but then sleeping pills could eradicate that...Kenshin sighed placing the tube back down again feeling slightly anxious and strangely hurt. 'She must still not trust me enough to tell me what's on her mind. I don't blame her, it's a miracle she trusts me at all.'
It wasn't just the lack of sleep though; she had been acting strange lately. Watching a lot of the news, he would see her eyes dart nervously around the room when she thought he wasn't looking. As much as she tried to control herself, he could see her flinch ever so slightly every time his mobile phone rang. It was disconcerting, like living with someone who expected an atomic bomb to go off at any moment. 'And she's been practicing kenjutsu more recently.'
Just then his was knocked from his mental train of thought as he heard a clumsy pair of hands rummage at the door handle. He sucked in a breath, at any second the door would open and he would have to prepare for another full scale row. He considered his options, he could run for the door and possibly make it but she would hear him, he could hide or stay and await his fate. His eyes snapped at the curtains, in an instant he was merely a shadow behind them. 'This one must move, if I'm seen then she will think it's even more suspicious.'
However it was too late to move, the door swung open to reveal Kaoru, red faced, dripping hair and towel clad. He closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. The hitokiri was perfectly silent used to hiding and sneaking however he heard the towel drop to the floor and his throat went slightly dry as more images tangled themselves in his mind. 'Wrong. Wrong. Five years younger. Too unworthy. Too dangerous. She's your friend.' Why was he even thinking like that? Like some hormonal teenager, kami-sama was it not enough he'd wrecked the person he loved life before? What would Tomoe think if she could see him now?
An all too painful reminder that Tomoes dark silent stare would never pierce him again. Instantly all thoughts ceases and he opened his eyes, thankfully Kaoru was now dressed in a training hakama and gi kneeling at the vanity table with a hair brush and dryer. He now felt strangely limp and even more ashamed of himself. How could he think such things? He was not worthy and he was far too unstable. Kami-sama hadn't Tomoe life been enough? Could he honestly tempt history to repeat itself again?
'She's not Tomoe...'
What would she think? She who had given her life to save his? The woman he loved? He was repaying her sacrifice by potentially wrecking another innocent's life? What would she think if she could see him here thinking such things about Kaoru when he was supposed to love her? He hung his head and closed his eyes. The two of them were so different...but then too eerily familiar. He found himself panicking when he tried to picture Tomoe's face and instead pictured Kaoru's. He could never risk such a thing happening again.
"Kenshin...what a baka."
His eyes snapped open and he momentarily panicked but then calmed when he peeked through the curtains and realised that Kaoru was not in fact telepathic and nor had she saw him. She was staring in the mirror adjusting more foundation under her eyes and she smiled slightly before sighing. 'I wonder what she's thinking.'
"Gomenasai, I hope this works," He heard her mumble to herself. Obviously she was just talking about the foundation...or was she perhaps indicating something else? She didn't speak anymore as the hairdryer went on and began to dry her damp hair. He watched feeling slightly sick both at himself and for some other unknown reason. He glanced down at his wrist watch. It was noon; Doctor Gensai would probably be arriving in an hour.
Kaoru began to hum above the drone of the hairdryer. Kenshin smiled slightly watching her closely; his insides were probably in just as much turmoil as hers were. Why was he thinking such things? Why had he kissed her all those months ago...and why did he constantly wish to be closer to her both physically and emotionally. It wasn't right, but somehow he wished that he could be normal and suitable like Higurashiyama. The person who she could cuddle up on the couch with and watch films with. They were of course only fantasies.
But they made him smile nonetheless.
Sanjó Tsubame smiled.
The past two months had given her precious little to smile about but today she was amazingly smiling.
Tsubame was never the type of girl adore the spotlight. She was the sort of girl who would run off stage crying if she had to perform in front on an audience. The sort of child that nursed legless teddy bears even though she knew they were just made of fluff. The friend you would never watch a soppy film with because guaranteed she would be a hopeless sobbing wreck by the end of it. Delicate. Fragile. Vulnerable. Parents fawned on her and teacher praised her because she was quiet and attentive and never caused any trouble.
Yet in the past two months her face had been everywhere. In the media, in the tabloids, in magazines, the list went on. Several interviews she had sat through and all of her had resulted in her going red in the face like a sunburnt tomato and stumbling over all her words. At school whispers followed her everywhere like a plague. Everyone wanted to know what Hitokiri Battousai had been like. Everyone wanted to know how she had made friends with him and which member of the Makimachi or Kamiya family he had seduced. Eventually she had lost her temper. Many found it difficult to believe that sweet, shy Tsubame had a temper but her sisters could testify that she had an extremely short fiery temper as Jinji Sakura had found out in Home Economics when the trifle Tsubame had been piping with cream ended up in her face after she asked Tsubame if she had fancied Kenshin.
The strong solid pillars of her world had suddenly crumbled into chaos. She had never known loss or grief; they were simply brushed out sight from her. Too nasty and horrid for precious Tsubame-chan. Yet suddenly she found herself having to deal with the knowledge that one of her closest friends had been murdered and deceived by another one of her friends. The shock and agony of knowing she would never see Kaoru again...never. Gone. Dead. Forever. The impact of the meaning of those words was like unleashing hell as control over everything was suddenly gone. It kept her awake at night, she couldn't fathom how Kenshin had killed Kaoru...she had the most horrible thought about it. They made her sick...stopped her from eating...until eventually she made herself sick to get some sort of relief...bulimic the school counsellor had told her. Bulimia.
But today she was smiling. Sitting in the Dojo smiling at last.
She had visited Yahiko often during the past two months. Usually he talked little and snapped often, Tsubame would usually sit on the sidelines watching him do katas relentlessly and with a ferocity that scared her. He would curse if he made the littlest mistake and would often push himself to breaking point. If she made any movements to stop him she ended up getting yelled at and then she would end up loosing her temper which resulted in her crying and him apologising, looking even more anguished than before. It was like everything else, control was lost and seemed to her like Yahiko was very slowly being driven to manic overdrive.
Today was different though.
The young teenager could tell. Instead of going immediately for his shinai he had first offered her a cup of tea and had even smiled. Normally these days he took no care for his appearance often wearing the same clothes still sweaty from his previous practices, his skin was dull and pasty while his hair always looked like the wrong end of a mop. Today however he was in clean clothes wearing aftershave with gel back in his hair. He seemed more focused, more determined, all his anger had been channelled into something new. 'It's as if he's passed a difficult exam and now has to practice for an assessment.' Thought Tsubame watching him re-enter the dojo with two cups of tea.
"I haven't poisoned it you know." He said gruffly as Tsubame stared into it's murky depths. She nodded and took a sip feeling the liquid sooth her parched throat. Recently the weather had been uncomfortably hot and sticky. Her eyes lingered around the Dojo feeling remorse. She hadn't told Yahiko about her bulimia because she knew it would only add a ton more stress to him, however sitting in the Dojo to begin with had been like sitting in a graveyard. She almost expected Kaoru to come striding through the doors at any moment and she felt like crying when she realised it would never happen again.
"I know," Tsubame said simply taking another sip. 'Yahiko-chan seems much happier...but why? I'm almost worried, what if he's going to do something reckless and dangerous?'
"Quick staring at the teacup. Whats bugging you?" Yahiko said impatiently after several long silent minutes. Tsubame didn't answer trying to think of the right words.
"Yahiko-chan...You seem different today." She said cautiously. Surprisingly Yahiko shrugged.
"Couldn't mope about sweating forever could I?" He said gruffly, "Anyway that's not gonna get me any closer to killing Battousai. If I want to beat him then I'm gonna have to keep training much harder but that doesn't mean I have to act like a zombie. You wait and see Tsubame-chan. I promise I'll get him."
Tsubame nodded feeling scared because she could see the manic glint in his eye again. She had no doubt that he would someday be as strong as Kenshin-san but she didn't like how he talked so casually about killing him. Of course, she supposed he deserved it...but Yahiko was twelve...the image just seemed wrong. The Police should catch him and have him executed...not Yahiko. Besides it was too dangerous...what if he got hurt like Kaoru?
You don't believe me do you?" Accused Yahiko.
"I-I do. Honestly." Protested Tsubame before lowering her voice, "I-I just don't want you to get hurt Yahiko-chan...I don't think I could bear it if you died too." She squeezed her eyes shut. Any mention of Kaoru immediately made him storm off with tears in his eyes. After several seconds she could hear no footsteps thrashing against the Dojo floor.
"I'm not about to die okay? You won't lose anyone..." Said Yahiko forcefully. Tsubame shook her head feeling the tears come again. She couldn't help it. She hated how her initial reaction to everything was to cry but she felt like doing it right now. Her throat ached as she tried to press back a sob unsuccessfully. How could he say that? Kaoru-chan was dead...Kenshin was nothing but a liar. She cupped her face in her hands.
"Hey! Would you stop crying! I just said you weren't going to lose anyone!" Yahiko scorned hastily wrapping an arm around Tsubame's shoulders. Tsubame gave out a watery hiccup.
"Y-You can't...promise that. Y-You'll get h-hurt like K-Kaoru-chan." Tsubame cried.
"No! I won't and would you please stop crying!" There was a distinct note of desperation in Yahiko's voice. Tsubame knew he hated it when she cried. She sniffled trying to stop but her tear ducts did not seem to be connected to her brain properly. She wished that she was one of these people who were able to hold back their emotions; hers just seemed to leak out without her permission. Hastily she wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve.
"G-Gomenasai Yahiko-kun," Mumbled Tsubame. Yahiko sighed as she leaned in so her head was resting on his shoulder. She sniffed before continuing, "I-I just, it's just you seem so much more hopeful today and I just hoped it wasn't because you were considering doing something reckless. I know you want to kill Hitokiri Battousai and I understand...but I don't want you dying either. Not after Kaoru-chan." Tsubame's voice held a clear note of firmness. Yahiko groaned and ran a hand through his hair momentarily forgetting about the gel in it.
"Let's go inside. We can watch a DVD or something in my room," He said finally standing up. Tsubame nodded feeling slightly perplexed and curious. She couldn't remember ever going into Yahiko's room before, but then in the past she had seldom visited Yahiko without company. Usually Yutaro or her sisters were around. She followed the preteen quietly through the house. The presence of the armed guards outside had been slightly intimidating and a constant reminder of how much the whole Kamiya family was in danger after refusing the offer of a safe house. Once inside Yahiko lead Tsubame up a flight of stairs before pushing open a door which lead into a small, yet cosy bedroom.
The walls were navy blue and there was a light blue carpet. Clearly it had not been redecorated in some time. A bed was up against one wall with a television and playstaion opposite it. There were a few shelves filled with manga books and couple of blank pieces of paper. Odd socks were strewn randomly across the floor while the wardrobe door was wide open revealing a large disorganised pile of clothes inside. Yahiko picked up some pieces of paper and sat down on his bed gesturing to Tsubame to do the same. The teenage girl tilted her head puzzled. Yahiko wasn't a great artist...but the way he was leaning over the paper blocking it from view scribbling rapidly made her wonder. 'Tae said that Katsumi-san was an amazing artist...maybe Yahiko picked up the gene.'
She moved a few papers so she could clear a space to sit down. Only now she noticed how some of them had very well drawn, but obviously doodles on them. Some were small sketches of katanas while others were of cars. One even had a fighting scene which she guessed had been drawn in a fit of rage to express his frustrated emotions. 'They are good...I wonder why he doesn't tell anyone? Then again he doesn't exactly act like an artist...but it's so cute.' From behind her Yahiko was gazing intently at his piece of paper before he gestured to Tsubame with his hand. She leaned over so that her hair blocked the paper from prying eyes.
'Don't make a move. Act like it's a drawing or something...we're being watched. Misao-chan is going to kill me but here goes. Kaoru-chan is alive, I found out on Monday...the bastard didn't kill her just kept her captive or something. Can't tell anyone, Government would kill us if they found out we knew. Keep mouth shut. Please don't cry! Megumi's going to visit her tonight, maybe next week I'll get to see her too.'
Tsubame gasped and stared for what seemed like an eternity.
And then smiled.
"Hello Kaoru-san."
"Kaoru-neechan!"
"Kaoru-neechan!"
Kaoru had barely opened the door before she was promptly attacked by two hyperactive children who hugged her around the knee's almost knocking her backwards. Doctor Gensai stood in the doorway smiling and chuckling with a medic case in one hand and a large basket in the other. Kaoru smiled slightly before stepping aside as he slid off his shoes and entered the house.
"Calm down you two. You don't want Kaoru-san to end up tripping up over you." Reprimanded the elderly doctor lightly. Kaoru shook her head and glanced at the basket curiously. Lunch hadn't been prepared yet, Kenshin had taken off to clean the bathroom after she had vacated it. She rolled her eyes; he needed therapy for his obsessive and unhealthy disorder with cleaning. Still, she thought of when he barged into the bathroom accidentally...she almost had a heart attack and could have died of embarrassment. 'And yet...I almost felt...mou, never mind.' She shrugged aside such thoughts for the present moment.
"It's okay," Kaoru said ruffling Ayame's hair as the girl bounded down the corridor after her sister, "So what's in the basket?"
"Oh, Okami-san was generous enough to make us some lunch and she also demanded that I bring you some treats," Doctor Gensai said with some amusement. Kaoru glanced at the basket trying to calculate just how much Okami had managed to squeeze in it before shutting it. Probably enough to feed a small army, all the same it was nice of her to think of them like that. She missed the woman's straight forward approached to life, how she could take complicated matters and make them simple. Kaoru seemed to do the exact reverse.
"That was nice of her, although I'm not sure we'll have room in the fridge," Joked Kaoru.
"Okami-san certainly appreciates peoples need for comfort food. Where's young Himura-san?" Doctor Gensai asked as they entered the kitchen. Sunlight temporarily blinded Kaoru as it burst in through the glass doors reflecting off the shiny kitchen surfaces and the utensils. It was hot outside; she had considered taking a swim later just to cool down. The weather was welcome though, it put her at ease. Tonight's task would be difficult but when she looked at the flawlessly blue sky she couldn't help but simply feel happy. Tonight could wait for a little while at least. She took the extremely heavy basket off the doctor - it almost anchored her to the floor - and set it on the table.
"Cleaning the bathroom I think. I told him not to bother though," Kaoru growled. Just then she heard a loud 'Oro' punctuated by cries of 'Ken-nii!' Kaoru grinned, at least that was him dragged away from his one true love for the day. There was no way the children would rest until he was playing with them. It was strange how they took to people; it was oddly like finding out Adolf Hitler was an animal lover. Of course, not that Kenshin was that evil; he wasn't capable of genocide or anything remotely that horrible. 'It is odd how Ayame and Suzume like him though, most kids would run terrified.'
"Ojiisan! Ken-nii says he'll take us swimming before lunch!" Cheered Suzume as she raced into the kitchen with a jubilant expression on her face. Kaoru's mind strayed...if Kenshin was swimming he'd be topless again. 'Get a grip Kamiya for crying out loud! You're drugging the guy behind his back and he's a hitokiri! Don't you love to complicate things even further?' Kaoru tried to swat away the thoughts but they buzzed at her like a particularly angry fly. Doctor Gensai looked up from unpacking his medical kit, Kaoru winced upon seeing the needle and her heart beat accelerated.
'It's not like I haven't had blood taken before...' Kaoru tried to remind herself of this but she felt suddenly anxious. The things she put herself through to continue the facade. It was an unpleasant thing to have done but she reminded herself that it was never as bad as it seemed. If she knew what was happening to her arm then she was fine. Getting told to look away made her feel uneasy, if there was a wasp in the room she wanted to see it.
"That's good of him. It's nice to have such a willing sitter, go get him through will you Suzume-chan." Doctor Gensai said casually. The girl nodded and raced down the hall yelling for Kenshin. A few moments later and the red haired appeared with Ayame climbing on his shoulders. His hair was as usual in it's low ponytail while he wore a pair of loose shorts and a baggy white shirt. Kenshin set Ayame down on the floor gently before smiling at the doctor.
"Hello Doctor Gensai, this one assumes it is time for his blood to be taken de-gozaru?" Kaoru halted briefly at the familiar speech pattern before shaking her head. She would not try to fathom his mood swings, it would only hurt her head. Instead she boiled the kettle to make some tea for the Doctor and some orange juice for the girls. Kenshin sat down, Kaoru watched with intrigue and mild horror as the needle pierced his skin and blood ran like blackcurrant liquid into the plastic tube. What caught her attention the most was that Kenshin seemed fixated on not looking at what was happening?
'I thought he'd be used to blood...or maybe he's just squeamish about his own?' Kaoru quickly looked away as she poured some orange juice into two plastic cups. It was strange, she tried not to dwell on it but she was suddenly reminded vividly of the corpse in the alley. She shivered blood...everywhere yet he never even flinched but one blood test and he looked away? 'It's almost ironic.' Kaoru considered as she added some milk to the Doctors tea. Ayame and Suzume sat at the table not even caring for the injection; obviously they were used to the process.
"Arigatou Kaoru-san," Said Doctor Gensai accepting the tea, "Well Himura-san, I believe everything is in good order concerning your health. Your blood pressure and heart rate are normal. There appears to be no problem with neither your throat nor ears. All in all your as healthy as a horse." Kenshin gave a noncommittal jerk of the head as he Ayame took frantic sips out of her juice from her new position on his knee. Kaoru glanced at the door almost considering leaving the room. Maybe no one would notice.
"Well, looks like you're next Kaoru-san. If you'll take a seat," Kaoru cursed her bad luck and took the seat next to the doctor. First he measured her breathing, and then he checked her throat and ears before examining her blood pressure. Finally he picked up a clean needle and Kaoru began to feel sick. She inhaled determined not to act like a child. Doctor Gensai seemed to notice her less than easy attitude and smiled kindly.
"It normally helps to look away..."
Kaoru shook her head, "I prefer to look..." She watched as the needle entered her body, it felt like somebody giving her a quick nip on the arm. Slowly her blood filled the tube and she stared feeling slightly amazed that, that blood had seconds ago been swimming in her body. A moment later and the needle were removed and a plaster placed on the area. Kenshin looked at her curiously for a moment before smiling as Ayame tugged at his hair and pouted.
"Can we go swimming yet Ken-nii?" She pleaded desperately as she wriggled impatiently.
"Well, it's alright with me that it is." Ayame and Suzume cheered loudly before jumping off their seats and making a mad dash for the bathroom to get changed. Kaoru watched them before deciding that maybe a swim would be nice, it wasn't fair that Kenshin get all the attention.
"I'm just going to get changed." She said excusing herself as she left the room and paced the hall. Inside the bathroom excited giggles echoed around the house. Pushing open her bedroom door she entered the messy chaos of her bedroom. She shut the door and glanced at it feeling mildly ashamed. 'Kenshin could probably spend all day in here cleaning happily. Maybe he does have a point; I'm not exactly very tidy.' She sighed tugging open one of her drawers searching for her costume. The thought of Kenshin cleaning her room was humiliating, especially the thought of him seeing her underwear which was laying across the floor without a care. 'I'd die of embarrassment. It's not fair! He cooks, he cleans and he's athletic. Why do I suddenly feel completely inadequate? He'd be a great catch if he didn't kill people so often.'
Kaoru groaned rubbing the temples of her head as she yawned tugging off her hakama. Sleepless nights seemed to fade into each other, she kept panicking imaging that the Oniwabanshu had failed and the next news report would state that the entire Kamiya/ Makimachi clan was dead supposedly killed by the Ishin Shishi. That and Megumi's words were still ringing in her ears. She was going to have to tell Kenshin or risk his employers informing him first. 'I'm such a coward...' Kenshin would be angry, and childishly Kaoru didn't want to deal with an angry hitokiri. However she had her plan laid out perfectly...until it got to the point where he had to get the key off her. He wouldn't want to use force...but if he thought he could without harming her then he would. Kaoru was finally adjusting to the weight of the sakabatou...but it was still unfamiliar. No matter how she looked at it he had the advantage.
'I'll forget about it for today...I'm too tired to concentrate right now.' Kaoru pulled on a pair of shorts before grabbing an old white shirt that was two sizes too big. Feeling mildly pleased with her appearance she took off down the hall and entered the kitchen. The glass doors were open and outside the surface of the pool sparkled invitingly in the sunlight. Kaoru sat down and wiggled her toes in the water before slowly submerging herself. She floated idly, enjoying the soothing sensation it had upon her strained nerves. The tranquillity was interrupted by high pitched squeals as Ayame and Suzume splashed each other with water before paddling in the shallows, not far behind them was Kenshin...and Kaoru averted her eyes quickly. He was topless again.
"Ken-nii! Look, look I can do the kicky thing!" Cried Suzume holding on to the edge of the pool with her hands and kicking her legs out enthusiastically showering him with water before he even entered the pool.
"Very good Suzume-chan, you're doing well aren't you?" Kenshin said encouragingly as he slid into the pool, disappearing for a moment below the surface before emerging. His red hair was darkened by the water clinging to it and was flattened against his pale skin. Kaoru found herself staring before she realised what she was doing. 'Not an ounce of fat on him...' Although undeniably lean, he was by no means as scrawny as she had first thought. Well defined muscles tone his arms, not grossly like some body builder but nicely. She wondered what his skin felt like-
"Is something wrong Kaoru-dono?" Asked Kenshin innocently taking Kaoru's stares as an inquiry. Kaoru prayed to the kami's her cheeks were not glowing red.
"Uh...Iie of course not," She giggled falsely before changing subject at the speed of light, "Where's Doctor Gensai?"
"Inside, he asked if he could watch some television and sessha told him he was welcome." Kenshin answered honestly. Kaoru nodded laying down so her head rested against the side of the pool and her eyes lingered towards the deep blue sky. It was truly beautiful, not a cloud in sight. Lazily a butterfly flew past and the sun brought out all the colours in the flowers. Their reds and pinks were emphasised by the light. She closed her eyes allowing Ayame and Suzume's laughter to act as calming background music.
"Kaoru-neechan! Come play mermaids with us!"
Kaoru smiled and moved towards them, the water lessened until she was standing in a depth that only reached her waist while Ayame and Suzumes heads bobbed above water.
"I want my fin to be pink!" Said Ayame immediately.
"Mines is blue! Kaoru-neechan what colour is yours?"
"Indigo," Kaoru said saying the first colour she could think of.
"We'll be the mermaids and Ken-nii can be the shark! We have to swim away and if he catches us then somebody else has to be shark." Explained Suzume. Kaoru wrinkled her nose, it sounded like waters version of tag. It wasn't going to be a fair game since Kenshin could probably easily catch the two of them. 'This means I get to be victim number one. Crap.' Kaoru could see how this was going to go but she nodded as the child continued to explain, "Ken-nii has to count to twenty to give us some time but since we're not allowed to leave the shallow end neither is he when he's chasing us!"
'Brilliant...makes life much easier for me.' Kaoru glanced around the rectangular pool and began to panic slightly before swimming over as fast as she could to the opposite side of the pool in the deep end. Taking a deep breath she dived under and curled up at the bottom of the pool. Around her shapes were distorted by the shimmering liquid, the sun above her illuminated the surface and slowly she began to craved oxygen being forcefully reminded of her escapades in the algae swimming pool.
Looking up found that surprisingly she could see nothing coming towards her out of the dim. Instincts all but taking over she swam wildly for the surface trying to make as little noise as possible as she emerged gasping for breath. She risked a look to find that Ayame and Suzume were splashing wildly in circles. 'Strange...no sign of Kenshin anywhere...' It was true, the hitokiri seemed to be absent from the waters. Suddenly she was filled with a plunging feeling, the type normally accommodated by the music from Jaws. Glancing down into the water noticed a shady looking figure swimming towards her rapidly.
'Kuso! That sneaky little-' Immediately Kaoru turned tail and tried to swim away towards the little girls. Her flee was unsuccessful as a pair of arms grabbed her by the ankles - not painfully but firmly - Kaoru promptly started kicking wildly earning herself many giggles from the girls as she splashed around like a confused dolphin. Struggling in vain, a moment later a red haired figure emerged smiling at his success. Kaoru glared and stuck out her tongue.
"Sneaky, underhanded little- " She began muttering furiously much to his amusement. Kaoru's cheeks burned red as she half walked, half swam towards the shallow end of the pool closely followed by the supposed shark. Turning her back she counted to twenty out loud but smirked while her face remained unseen. Two could play at those sorts of underhanded tactics, besides she felt sort of excited when she realised how close the two had been to each other. 'I'm mad...completely and utterly insane. Still, Himura Kenshin you are so dead and I bet you probably know it!'
"Right, just hold the shinai like this and-yah!"
"Yah!"
Kenshin watched the three of them out of the corner of his eyes from his place at the doorway of the dojo. After swimming everyone had insisted upon eating lunch. Unsurprisingly this had taken about half an hour due to the sheer amount Okami had packed - six cream cakes, a tray of jam tarts, ten individual sets of tuna sandwiches, ten apples, five bags of crisps and strangely three oranges - of course there was obviously a lot of left over but the fridge was packed full of other food articles she had insisted upon giving them to ensure they did not starve. It all came down to the Sumo theory. Okami would never be happy until he was fat enough to compete.
After lunch Kaoru had asked if the girls wanted to learn anymore kendo and thus they were in the dojo with Kaoru trying to teach them the basics dressed again in her hakama and gii. Doctor Gensai was perched happily on the couch watching a game of football leaving Kenshin with little to do. He didn't want to make his presence noticed encase it unnerved Kaoru so he watched in silence mulling over the days events. The blood tests in particular, she obviously knew now that he couldn't stand the sight of his own blood. 'Childish really...but sessha just doesn't like blood in general.' He might be a hitokiri but he wasn't sadistic. Blood brought back unpleasant memories and horrible thoughts of what was to come.
'There's been no assignments in almost a month. This cannot be a coincidence...I must speak to Katsura-sama soon.' In retro respect he probably should have done so a week ago but after finding out that he was the man who had killed Kaoru's mother he had been somewhat unwilling to venture towards the Ishin Shishi headquarters. He watched her now, smiling energetically trying to promote enthusiasm with her bokken and her ebony hair caught up in her ribbon. 'What would she think or do? What am I thinking and doing? I am selfish, her friendship is too good for this unworthy one let alone anything else.'
He sighed quietly turning away and walking down the corridor. There was also another growing issue in his mind, Kaoru's birthday was rapidly approaching and he had no idea how to go about the day. Clearly he ought to make some sort of effort but it wasn't like he could throw her a party and take her out somewhere. 'Eighteen is an important birthday too; sessha will have to think of something.' Of what he didn't know though, he was facing an even greater challenge of purchasing a present. Bemoaning his internal woes he opened the door into the sitting room where Doctor Gensai was avidly watching the game of football with a relish almost on par with Sanosukes. He was so fully absorbed that it took him several minutes to notice Kenshin's appearance.
"Ah, Himura-san, forgive me for stealing your television," Apologised Doctor Gensai when he looked up to notice the hitokiri sitting on one of the armchairs.
"Oh? No forgiveness is needed Doctor Gensai-san." Kenshin said swiftly.
"Arigatou, although I must say I was quite impressed with Kaoru-chan's reaction today. I don't normally meet patients who willingly want to watch their blood being taken. It makes quite a difference," Chuckled Doctor Gensai. Kenshin nodded absently, not wishing to dwell too long on the subject. The elderly doctor cleared his throat and seemed willing to pursue more conversation. "The results should take a week or more, I would be amused if they arrived on Kaoru's birthday."
"Aa, Gensai-san." Kenshin said curtly.
"I don't suppose you've thought of doing anything to celebrate the occasion?" Said Doctor Gensai archly. Finally the real reason for the conversation came to light. Kenshin sighed, this was Okami's doing. He felt torn between amusement and annoyance because he didn't really see how his personal life was any of her business. It was clear Doctor Gensai was here to inflict her will upon him, he felt embarrassed almost. 'Kami's forbid anybody finds out. The last thing I need is a bunch of baka's snickering at me behind my back.' Then it occurred to him that they probably were already whispering behind his back. Why did he suddenly care now?
"Okami-dono is very blunt in her efforts." Kenshin said.
"I fear I'm not the actor she had hoped for," Admitted Doctor Gensai, "However she has told me to pass on the message, and I quote; 'He had better think of something or he's the worst boyfriend I've ever heard of and Kamiya-san should drown him.' Her words not mine although she did go into more details that I think you would probably not wish to hear." Kenshin groaned. Brilliant, a cook was trying to give him advice. Why was she trying to pry anyway? It was none of her concern and she'd completely misread the situation.
"I am not Kaoru-dono's boyfriend and I regret the implication, de-gozaru." Kenshin said stiffly.
"I know, but nevertheless I am sure as a friend you would like to find her a present worth giving. Birthdays are important, especially to a young girl so far from her friends and family. You must realise that the day will likely be hard on her emotionally and I am sure you wish to distract her and find away to make her smile ne?" Suggested Doctor Gensai. Kenshin felt uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was turning. He was well aware of this and felt suddenly frustrated that everyone was interfering. 'It's not like I can just take her into Kyoto and go ice skating.'
"There is a very prominent restaurant in Aizu for example. Very exclusive and highly rated by the critics."
"Sessha is sure that Katsura-sama and the Ishin Shishi would not be sympathetic if this one did decide to take Kaoru-dono to such a place." Kenshin said coolly. There were security issues, and he was sure that breaking them for something as insignificant as a birthday would not go down well with his employers. Above all, he was a hitokiri and a wanted one at that; he could not just stroll into a restaurant and book a table. Even if he went in disguise it was too risky being in one place for too long, besides there was the matter that he wasn't sure if he wanted the Ishin spies watching them while they had dinner together.
"Naturally but he let you away with taking her to see her mothers grave didn't he? He lets you away with quite a lot Himura-san and he knows you are not a fool. I am sure that if you asked you could have appropriate disguises and enough security to allow you one evening of peace." Doctor Gensai said mildly not put off by the edge in Kenshin's voice. 'I will ask no favours of Katsura-sama, I will not risk the Ishin Shishi's secrecy and security on a whim.'
"That may be the case Doctor Gensai-san, but I will ask no favours of Katsura-sama. I will think of a way to celebrate with Kaoru-dono that does not involve taking a risk." Kenshin answered.
"Perhaps you are right Himura-san." Doctor Gensai said thoughtfully staring at the television screen with a blank expression. Kenshin hoped this was the last he would hear on the subject because he was having trouble controlling his irritancy. However it was not to be as Doctor Gensai spoke only moments later, "You have a beautiful forest on your doorstep Himura-san. I always admired Rojiku's taste; his wife was particularly fond of having family picnics near the lake..."
"Ojiisan! Ayame-chan bashed me on the finger!"
"Did not!"
"Did so!"
An interruption arrived in the form of two arguing siblings followed by a tired looking Kaoru with a bokken slumped over her shoulder. Kenshin gave a slight smile of amusement; clearly teaching such young children was adding an edge to her patience. Suzume was cradling a red, sore looking finger while Ayame's face was turning red rapidly as tears of fury descended down her cheeks. Doctor Gensai sighed setting Suzume on his knee while Kaoru tried to apologise profusely.
"Settle down girls, I'm sure it was just an accident Suzume-chan." Assured the Grandfather before glancing at his wristwatch, "My goodness is that the time already? And here I am due to see Satoshi-san's baby in an hour. I think I've intruded on your hospitality long enough Himura-san. Kaoru-san." He made to stand up, Kenshin and Kaoru escorted them into the hall were the small family slid their shoes back on and did up their coats.
"Is there something wrong with Poppy-chan?" Asked Kaoru.
"Oh, no just routine." Doctor Gensai said lightly before glancing at his grandchildren, "Now you better thank our hosts for their kindness." The girls bowed slightly, it was admittedly cute. Kenshin was astounded that the girls seemed to think so highly of him and couldn't fathom why or how.
"Arigatou Kenshin-nii. Kaoru-neesan."
"I'll be calling in when I get the results back. Arigatou, again for your kindness." Kenshin and Kaoru both took turns to assure him that it had been no bother at all. Then, they watched their retreating figures until they loomed out of sight. Kaoru sighed and shut the door as her bokken slid to the floor. Kenshin smiled and picked it up for her while she wiped some perspiration from her brow. The two of them made their way into the living room where Kaoru collapsed on the couch instantly and Kenshin sat down more gracefully beside her.
"Five o'clock? Where did the time go...?" Murmured Kaoru tiredly.
"They do say time flies when you're having fun Kaoru-dono." Kaoru nodded in agreement as she rested her head against the elbow of the sofa and curled up into a ball. Kenshin recognised the familiar behaviour and a smile tugged at his lips again. In a matter of minutes she would be sleeping. Already the tell-tale signs indicating such an occurrence were happening; she was covering her mouth to hold back yawns and her eyelids kept flickering shut like an unsteady light glowing out. Kenshin sat quietly knowing that if he moved it would disturb her, she always seemed to know if somebody left her presence.
Gradually, her eyes remained close as if some invisible battle had been won by her body. Her breathing calmed and became even as her body raised and fell with the instinctive motions. There was something oddly soothing about watching her sleep; it gave him time to admire her peaceful features and to notice any problems. For example, his concern was latched to the dark clouds under her eyes and the piece of black hair that was tumbling into her face. Gently, he moved it brushing it aside so it would not bother her later. He wondered vaguely what it would feel like if he could be closer to her...not in a perverse way. 'I can't...there's still so much she doesn't know about me. What I am, what I've done. She's tormenting herself being friends with me...can I ask her to suffer more? I'm already confused, I love Tomoe...but then why did I kiss her? Why I am feeling like this towards her?
'Tomoe, she is not your replacement. Nobody could ever replace you.'
His hand went to his scar as he traced the cut skin. A constant reminder of the vow that needed to be fulfilled...he knew that someday he and Kaoru would part probably for good one way or another. He had always known that the day would come when he would leave and she would go on to her happy future. There was so much the world held for her that it did not hold for him...and he had his promise. What he hoped for was nothing more than a naive dream. The thought scared him, if he was not there and something happened...he knew the darkness inside others hearts. The world was not a kind place...and even if Kaoru knew how to protect herself there were no guarantees. Monsters like Gohei would always linger in reality and if anything happened because he had not been there...then he would ultimately blame himself.
'A naive dream in my dark reality. When the time comes I will have to put my faith in her and everybody else. I'm sorry Kaoru-dono but what we have now is temporary...I think at heart we both know that. For now I shall be content with watching you sleep knowing that while I can, I will do everything to shield you from harm and this grim reality.'
'To keep your dreams alive.'
Just a light chapter really. The next chapter is more action as we finally see everyone reunited...Kaoru is overjoyed and terrified when Misao, Sanosuke, Yahiko and Tsubame make an appearence...which doesn't last long as Kenshin discovers sleeping drugs in his tea. Oh dear...
I gave Tsubame bulmia. I mean come on, she was hardly going to be peachy happy. Anyone would develop some sort of flaw if they found out their friend had just been murdered by their other friend. Yahiko was a bit stupid and told her and will probably get his ass kicked by Misao now. I apologise for the long gap in updates but I was unfortunately ill over xmas and I now have serious exams to revise for. Anyway Kaoru's birthday is coming up and for random laughs I want you to suggest songs for the Kenshin Characters to sing at Karoke night...don't ask...will reveal in later chapters.
Make them upbeat and funny.
Yes I am strange.
Please R&R and check out my Inuyasha fanfic cause I have a lot planned for it!
Bluemoon Out!x
