Kaoru woke with a start. She was in her room, on her futon. Hadn't she just been with Kenshin? Was it just a dream?
"No, not a dream,"
She whipped around; Megumi was folding her blankets.
"He brought you here at the first crow of the rooster." She picked up her bedding and opened the shoji. "I was wondering when you were going to wake up. It's getting to be well into noon. You could certainly rival the rooster head in a sleeping competition," She giggled.
"Noon!?" She rushed out of her bed, and hastily folded her own blankets. "Megumi! Why didn't you wake me earlier! I'm so late!"
Megumi laughed, and took both beddings outside, closing the shoji behind her.
She flipped open a chest and took out whatever clothes she saw. Grabbing her bandages, she dressed in a hurry and ran outside.
"Kenshin!" She burst into the kitchen, pulling her hair up into a tail. "Why'd you let me keep sleeping! I'm going to be so late!"
"Oro?" Kenshin stood still, as she rushed past him, and grabbed to onigiri.
"Ohoho, you slept with Kenshin last night?" Yahiko asked, a grin on his face.
"Oh shut it!" Was all she yelled, not even smacking him on the head as she ran back out.
She stopped at the gates and turned back around, cursing. "My bokken!"
She ran back into her room and let out an exasperated yell. "Where is it!"
She clenched her eyes shut, trying to retrace her steps.
"The roof!"
She ran back out, looking on the roof for her bokken. Still nowhere. She yelled again and ran back into the kitchen.
"Kenshin, where's my bokken!"
"Huh?" He turned around, stirring a pot.
She ran up and shook him by the gi.
"Where's my bokken!"
"I left it in the dojo, but Kaoru–"
She sped off, not staying to hear what he had to say.
Sure enough, it was on one of the weapon stands.
She grabbed it, and ran back out.
Passing by the kitchen again she yelled at Yahiko.
"When I get back, I better see those roof tiles fixed you hear!"
Finally, bokken strapped behind her back, and one onigiri in her hands she sped off to Maekawa's dojo.
X
"Honestly, she's just too much in the mornings." Megumi said, walking into the kitchen. "I didn't even get a 'thank you' for hanging up her bedding"
She sighed and sat down next to Yahiko.
"She left in such a rush that we didn't even get to tell her." He laughed.
Kenshin set down the tray of onigiri, along with a pot of tea.
"Perhaps this one should go after her."
"No let her find out," she said, "Knowing her, she's probably already there and on her way back."
His lips tightened, and he begrudgingly sat down as well.
"So, Kenshin," Yahiko said, wiggling his eyebrows, "you slept with the old hag now didn't ya?"
"What?" Kenshin asked, wide eyed
"You and Kaoru, y'know what I mean, do the do. The horizontal tango. A bit of the old in and out, poking the squid."
She watched in amusement as Kenshin's face turned a darker shade with each word Yahiko spoke.
"This one and Kaoru-dono–we didn't… we–nothing!" He stuttered shaking his hands.
Yahiko laughed boisterously and smacked him on the shoulders. "Come on man don't be shy! We all know the both of you need to get some."
"You've been hanging around Sano too much, that you have."
She sighed and poured herself some tea. Yahiko began singing a song about kissing people on trees, but she droned it out. Her thoughts drifted to last night.
I arrested him for obstructing justice and getting in my way. Any leads I had tonight are gone thanks to him.
What had the stupid rooster head done that the mibu wolf would need to arrest him for?
She bit off a piece of onigiri and swirled her tea.
She clenched her teeth, already knowing the answer to her question. Saito had mention him fighting someone, and she hated that she knew who he had fought. And she hated it even more because she knew why.
Sure, maybe on the surface he claimed loyalty to his friends, and yes he did have a loyal heart, but…
She closed her eyes and sighed again. The image of Sano drunk and passed out burned into her mind.
That fox-lady sure has tangled herself in my heart hasn't she?
She held the cup of tea to her mouth, trying to calm her beating heart.
Ya know, I think I might be in love with her.
She clenched her eyes shut, and cursed Sano for making her feel this way. They were just drunk words, they meant as much as the thoughts of a rock did; nothing. She didn't even care about him like that, so why, why did she want to go and–
She shook her head, opening her eyes, she met Kenshin's. Clearing her throat, she stood up.
Seeing as Yahiko was already running off into the dojo, she began picking up the dishes, and offered to wash them. She didn't look at him, as she did, and only once that she went back into the kitchen did she feel his gaze drift away.
X
Kenshin reached up to the bamboo pole, and pulled down a familiar jacket, and handed it to her.
"What is his jacket doing here?" She said, extending it in front of her. The character for 'evil' printed boldly on the back.
Kenshin chuckled and reached for a blanket this time.
"Sano thought this one would not notice him slipping in some of his clothes into the laundry pile."
"What a freeloader," she muttered.
Folding the jacket, she tossed it into the basket.
Ya know, I think I might be in love with her.
She clenched her eyes shut, and shook her head trying to rid herself of those thoughts.
"Megumi-dono?"
She looked up. Kenshin held out the blanket to her, but his eyes were filled with concern.
She forced a smile and took the blanket.
"Megumi-dono," he said again.
She smelled the blanket, barely registering the odor.
"This smells really nice, what is it?"
"Just a bit of soap, with some dry jasmine. But Megumi-dono–"
She laughed, out of place, yes, but she could find no other ay to respond. Kenshin clearly wanting to talk to her, but there was absolutely no way she was going to talk with a man about… him.
Sensitive as Kenshin was, she knew he wouldn't understand. No, who she needed to talk to was–
Kaoru burst in through the gates, with a loud "Tadaima!"
She let out a quiet breath, saved by the Tanuki.
"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin greeted. "We ate lunch a little early today, that we did. But we saved some for you."
He set down a blanket.
"I'll go get it, that I will."
Kaoru stopped him with her hand. "Don't worry it's fine, we can save it for tomorrow."
Kenshin turned, eyebrows raised. "Oro?"
"I know you've been gaining some weight Tanuki," she interjected, "but there are better ways to lose weight than fasting you know."
Kaoru smiled, "No no, I stopped at the Akabeko, I had to talk with Tae about, you know just town gossip," she giggled, and with a red face, glance at Kenshin.
Somehow, she knew it had been more of a Kenshin gossip than anything else.
Kaoru shook her head. "Anyways, she gave me a small meal, so I'm not that hungry right now."
"In fact. I was actually thinking on cleaning the shed today. That way we can have some more tools available for the garden," Kaoru said, looking at Kenshin.
"That's not a bad idea, that it is not." He said.
"Great," she clapped her hands. "I'll go ahead and get started," she said, running off to the shed.
"She doesn't intend on cleaning all of that by herself, does she?" She said out loud.
From a distance, she watched as Kaoru opened the shed and a pile of tools fell out. Kaoru stood by aside, almost as if expecting it to happen.
"The laundry is all folded now, that it is." Kenshin said, "this one will go help her. Feel free to join us Megumi-dono." He smiled, and left her, laundry basket next to her.
She looked closer at him as he walked away. Was it just her, or did he hold more energy in his steps? He seemed, more eager, happier. She smiled, watching him join Kaoru in carrying out the first boxes out.
He deserved this.
Ya know, I think I might be in love with her.
She looked away and rubber her temples. She cursed at her thoughts, why did they betray her at the most inopportune moments?
Yahiko was sweeping the shed when she joined them. All sorts of boxes, and trinkets littered the ground.
Kaoru was rummaging through a chest, with many lines scratched into it, almost haphazardly.
Kneeling next to her, she pulled up a box to her, and rummaged through it as well. It was full of scrolls. Very unorganized really. There were all sorts of financial accounts, to lineage charts, to various IOUs.
"Kaoru, you need–"
Kaoru made a throaty noise and lifted up whatever was in the chest.
It was a red fabric with designs splayed across it, and at a closer glance, she realized what is was.
"Is that a…" she whispered.
"My mother's wedding kimono." Kaoru finished, lifting it out of the chest, she was careful not to let it touch the ground.
She stood with it, holding it to her chest.
Now fully out of its hiding place, it was easy to see its splendor. There were small flowers placed delicately throughout, with white swans contrasting the red fabric near the bottom sleeved.
"It's beautiful," she said.
Kaoru smiled. "I always wanted to wear it for my own wedding." She sighed.
She glanced at Kenshin, who stared at Kaoru. Her heart clenched at the tenderness in his gaze, and the softness of his smile. Kaoru remained unaware of his gaze, as she folded it carefully.
She looked away. If only there was someone who–
Ya know, I think I might be in love with her.
This time she didn't shake her head, or try to think ono something else, nor even curse at them.
For just a second, and just one–because her pride would not admit she did it for mor than one–how life would be. How it would feel to... Surely life wouldn't be perfect. She wasn't as Naïve to believe such fairy tales.
But it would be better than coming home every night to an empty home. Alone. The thought of being welcomed by open arms, even if it were his, gave her a warm feeling in her chest.
Was it so bad? To crave love? Was it sinful of her? Despite her sins, could she possibly, deserve love? Like… like he did?
She glanced back at the couple.
Both were carefully placing the kimono back in the chest. Kenshin's hand slid to Kaoru's shoulder, and she unknowingly grazed her hand against his. Kenshin still stared at her.
She looked away again.
Surely it couldn't be too much to ask?
X
The afternoon was quiet, as it began dying into the evening.
Kenshin and Yahiko were wiping down the garden tools, and Kaoru remained inside the shed.
She walked inside, hands behind her back.
Kaoru was next to a shelve, straightening the last of boxes and chests.
"Well, it certainly looks better in here." She said.
"Definitely, although I still have to organize that box of files you found," she said.
She crouched down and shoved a box on the lower shelf. "If I can even figure it out," she muttered.
Walking past Kaoru, she passed the chest with the wedding kimono inside. Now up close, she realized those were not scratch marks, but carefully carved designs. When brought together they formed a fiery dragon that wrapped all the way around the chest. She chuckled; fitting, really.
Grazing her hand on it, she reached the small window that was in the very back of the building.
"Oh, Yahiko and I tried endlessly to open it, but we couldn't get it to budge other than the slits."
She shrugged, "Guess I'll try."
The first push up didn't work, nor did the second to the side.
Her hands touched the open slits, that let very little light in. Sure enough, those were the only ones that moved.
Ya know, I think I might be in love with her.
"Say Tanuki?" she said.
"Don't call me that."
"Let me pose you a situation," she continued.
"What are you talking about?" Kaoru said, shuffling boxes.
"Let's say a person were to confess their love to someone,"
The shuffling stopped.
"I don't see where you're going with this…"
She rubbed her finger on the slats.
"But the person was drunk when they confessed. So would they, would it…" Would it still count? Should I even get my hopes up?
MY goodness what was she doing? Asking the Tanuki for love advice? Kaoru couldn't even get Kenshin to be with her, much less help her.
She heard her stand up and walk closer.
"This is all, hypothetical of course!" She felt the need to add.
Kaoru stopped.
"Hypothetical… yes," She cleared her throat.
She glanced back, Kaoru had grabbed a small duster and moved it vainly around the shelves.
Sensing her stare, Kaoru looked at her. She whipped back around, staring at the slats.
"and you say, this person was drunk?"
"Hypothetically."
"Hypothetically."
"Yes."
There was a pause, and she felt almost tempted to look back. She stayed in place. Running her fingers through the slats.
"As a child, my dad always had this funny phrase he would always bring up when talking with his friends," she said, "He used to say, 'only children and drunkards speak the truth, so if you're trying to keep secrets, don't tell them'," She chuckled, "so if what you're saying is true–hypothetically of course– my opinion would be to say that it would be even more truthful than if someone were to confess sober."
She felt her gaze on her, but she dared not turn.
"But let's say, hypothetically, that they didn't acknowledge it the day after. So would it even count anymore?"
"That sounds like a talk you would need to have with them." Kaoru said, "Hypothetically of course."
"Right…" she whispered, looking down.
A small latch was right under the last slat. Smirking, she slid it out of place. Now the window slide to the side, letting in more light.
"There, that's better," she said.
"What! How!" Kaoru exclaimed.
She turned around, smirking. Walking past her, she flicked her on the forehead.
"It was right in front of you," she chuckled, "You can be so blind at times."
She stretched her arms. "Well, I enjoyed our hypothetical conversation Tanuki, I'll see you around."
"Don't call me that!" Kaoru exclaimed, but she was already gone.
She stopped by the laundry basket. His jacket lay on top, folded neatly. It taunted her. He taunted her.
Ya know, I think I might be in love with her.
She breathed out. Looking back, Kenshin and Yahiko were still entertained with the tools. Kaoru had yet to come out of the shed.
She headed to her medical bag inside Kaoru's room.
Perhaps she had some spare change.
X
"Kenshin!"
Kaoru came running up to him, breathless.
"Kaoru-dono?"
"Kenshin! I've been running all over the house, but Megumi is missing! Her stuff is still here, but she's gone!"
She clenched his shoulders.
"Do you think they took her?" She yelled. "They guys from yesterday I mean."
He glanced at the laundry basket. The jacket he had refolded earlier, was gone.
He thought back to last night. The sliding shoji, as Saito left…
He smiled
"It will be alright Kaoru-dono, that it will."
"But she could be in danger! Or hurt!"
"This one is sure she will be back before dinner. Along with Sano."
"Are you sure?"
He smiled and took her hands from his shoulders.
"Would you like to help this one prepare dinner?"
"I'll just burn it anyway," she muttered.
"You can wash and cut the vegetables."
She smiled, "You got yourself a deal."
She grabbed his wrist and led him to the kitchen.
"Speaking of, Sano hasn't been around today, that's weird…"
X
"Hey you! With the bandana!"
Sano looked up; the guard was looking at him.
He pointed to himself, "Me?"
"Yes you, come on don't waste my time. Let's go."
"Where?" He asked, standing up. Was this some sort of joke.
"You're lucky, your lady paid for your bail today."
"My… Lady?" He trailed off, as they walked out the jail.
A woman stood with her back to him, just outside the gates.
"Megumi?"
The woman turned; chin raised.
"Good, you're out. Let's go."
She whipped back around, her hair flowing smoothly behind her. He was so distracted by it that he almost missed the white object flying towards him.
"What? My jacket? Why do you have my jacket?"
"Wait!" he ran up to her. "Did you pay my bail?"
"And what if I did?"
"Why?"
"Now listen, you're still going to owe me for this, don't think this is a freebie, you freeloader," she said, pointing at his chest, and looking at hm up and down.
He held up his arms and smiled.
"Alright, what's another week of chopping wood for ya anyways."
"No,"
"What?"
"This time you owe me something different."
"What?"
She turned back around, and looked up at him, her deep brown eyes alight as she searched his face. "Tell me the truth."
He frowned.
"tell you the truth? What tr–watch out!"
He looked up just in time to see Saito striding to them, a murderous look on his face. He shoved Megumi out of the way, as Saito's fist collided with his cheek.
He let himself roll to the ground with the force of the punch. Somewhere a woman screamed, maybe it was Megumi.
He shook his head, as he rolled over, crawling up. Saito's second punch hit him in the stomach, and he leaned forward, into Saito's arms.
"Saito," he groaned, "What the hell… is wrong with you."
"No," Saito growled back.
He grabbed his jacket and threw him back on the ground.
"What the hell is wrong with you," He said, crouched next to him. "Your little stunt with Azamuku cost us the lives of two innocent people."
He groaned, and got back up, only to be shoved back down.
"And now, our suspect knows we're on to him as well. You really ruin everything don't you?" Saito growled, punching him again.
"Leave him alone!" Megumi yelled.
He lifted his head, "Get out of here Megumi."
"Shut up Sano." She held a flimsy branch in her arms.
Saito looked at her, then stood up, brushing off his pants. He walked towards her.
"Get away from her Saito!" He yelled, pulling himself up. "Come and fight me like a man!"
Saito looked back, his amber eyes meeting his own. Saito looked him up and down, and smirked.
"I think we're done here."
He turned back around, stopping at Megumi.
"Saito!"
He strode up to them, but Saito had only whispered something to her. He looked back at him, smirk on his face, and walked away.
He walked up to Megumi.
"You alright?"
She nodded.
"What'd he say to ya?"
She looked away, "Nothing."
"Meg–"
"Nothing Sano! Let's just… Let's just go home. I need to bandage your injuries anyway."
He touched a hand to his cheek, smiling. "These? These ain't nothin' Felt like baby punches."
She glared at him. He laughed. "Alright, let's go to Jou-chan's."
Almost instinctively, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Instead of moving away like she usually did, she stayed under his arm. Neither said anything, as they walked back home in companionable silence.
Next Update: 06-26-21 In which we finally get the so long waited for festival chapter. Anything could happedlen!