Standard Disclaimers apply. I don't own it… Oh well, you knew that already…
Chapter 7
"Good morning Kaoru!!!" Kenshin greeted with a smile as he continued flipping the pancakes.
"Good morning Kenshin! Smells good!! I'm sooo glad I gave you the keys," Kaoru drowsily said, leaning on the kitchen counter, giving an ample view of her cleavage.
Staring at the eye-catching scene before him, Kenshin blushed a deep shade of red and immediately looked away. He focused his attention to last batch of pancakes and stammered, "Anoo… Kaoru… why… why don't you fix yourself up and when you're through, breakfast will be ready."
"Alright," Kaoru smiled appreciatively while rubbing her eyes. She got up from her previous position and headed towards her bedroom.
Kenshin let out an audible sigh as he continued cooking. Kenshin no hentai!!! Stop thinking about it! You might burn breakfast! He mentally yelled at himself.
Kaoru ran downstairs after dressing up. The table was already set for two. Kenshin pulled the chair for Kaoru before he sat down himself.
"Mou Kenshin! You are such a great cook! Even better than me!!!" Kaoru said as she dug into the food.
Kenshin smiled and wiped the sides of Kaoru's mouth causing her to blush, "You're too humble, Kaoru. So? When are you going to show your culinary expertise like you said?"
"Maybe next time… Oh thanks that was delicious!" Kaoru looked up and rubbed her belly.
Kenshin sweatdropped when he saw that seven out of eight pancakes he cooked were already consumed by Kaoru. Looking down at his half-eaten piece, he smiled and offered, "Would you like some more, Kaoru?"
"Mou! Do you think I am a pig or something?" Kaoru yelled.
After eating, Kaoru insisted on washing the dishes since Kenshin was the one who cooked. Kenshin finally complied due to Kaoru's stubbornness. After cleaning up, they walked together towards school. Surprisingly, they didn't walked by any of the gang, so they continued chatting about little things… childhood, teachers, food and the like.
When they had reached Kaoru's classroom, they waved goodbye and promised each other to meet at the cafeteria before rehearsal. Upon entering the classroom, she was welcomed by three kunais thrown in her direction. She snapped her head towards the direction where it came from and yelled, "Oi!!! What's the big idea, Misao!!!"
"That's what you get from keeping secrets from your best friend." Misao yelled SD faced as she prepared another set of kunais.
"What are you talking about!!!" Kaoru demanded.
"Don't give me that I'm innocent shit! You kissed the new guy and you didn't even tell me!!!!"
Kaoru's eyes widened as her face blushed a deep deep deep shade of red. She gasped, "How… how did you find out?"
"You know I love reading Onniwabanshu fanfics! How else could I find out? Baka… of course, we spied on you," Misao waved her finger as she said matter-of-factly.
"What do you mean we!!!???" Kaoru exploded causing the whole classroom to stare at her.
"Oi busu! Kissy! Kissy!" Yahiko appeared from behind and mimicked kissing sounds as he wrapped his arms around his body.
Kaoru punched Yahiko across the hall and demanded, "Yahiko, knows too!!!!"
"Oi jou-chan… Congrats!" Sano casually said as he passed by.
"And Sano, too?" Kaoru said in disbelief through gritted teeth.
Misao cowered behind Sano and squeaked, "Actually, the whole gang knows."
"WWHHHHAAAATTTT?" Kaoru said feeling her world turning black.
~~~~~
After that rather violent display of affection among friends, they finally relayed the whole story to Kaoru. It turned out that on the way home, Sano and Yahiko spotted Kenshin and Kaoru enter her house together so they decided to peek in the windows. Misao and Aoshi saw them spying, so they joined them. Meanwhile, Megumi saw the commotion and decided to join them since her Ken-san was involved.
After a couple of whacks, Kaoru finally forgave them on one condition. They should never ever bring up the topic especially when Kenshin is around. The gang agreed and they headed towards the theater. Kaoru stayed behind because she was meeting up with her new "close" friend.
~~~~~
The rehearsal ended by six o'clock and the gang slumped on the theater seats, resting because of the tiring session.
"So Kenshin, how do you like this school so far?" Misao asked gaily.
"I like it here better. The people are warm and friendly. And I feel like I've known you guys for a long time already," Kenshin replied politely.
"Is that so Kenshin?" Sano asked with a mischievous glint on his eyes.
"Baka rooster-head, what's on your mind?" Megumi said tossing her hair.
"Why don't we get to know each other better? Let's have a party at your place," Sano said coolly.
"Oro?"
"Yeah! A party's great!!!" Yahiko yelled.
Kaoru stood up and raised her arm as she said, "That's right! You asked me this morning when will I cook for you, right? Well Kenshin, this is your lucky day because I, Kaoru Kamiya, rose of kenjutsu, will cook for you!!!"
The whole gang fell. [RK style!] …well, except for Aoshi who remained as expressionless as ever.
"Don't poison him tanuki-chan. He's too young to die!!! We still need time to consummate our love! Ohohoho!!!" Megumi teased as fox ears appeared.
Kenshin blushed and replied, "Ano… I guess its okay, but excuse my apartment if it's small and messy. I live alone and I just moved in."
Sano playfully punched Kenshin on his shoulder and replied, "No problem Kenshin as long as you have sake!"
"Orororo!!! This is going to be a long night."
~~~~~
After settling the plan, they stopped by first the grocery store before going to Kenshin's pad since he only had limited supply of food. They all pitched in for the expenses and went straight towards his place. They stopped by a new condominium, three blocks away from Kaoru's house and went up the sixth floor where Kenshin's apartment was. His apartment wasn't too small and not to spacious either. Just right for someone who lives alone.
"Nice place you got here, Kenshin," Sano said as he slumped himself on the sofa.
Kaoru silently entered as she observed the surroundings. Just like her house, the living room, dinning room and kitchen were in one room however, it wasn't designed well causing it to look cramped up. The room also gives a dull and lifeless aura because of the plain white ceiling, walls and floor. Several boxes were still scattered but the furniture were already placed properly, giving Kenshin's guests proper seating. As Kaoru looked around the room, a picture frame caught her eye. "Kenshin is this you and your father? You seem very close."
Kenshin peered from behind and replied, "Yes, he is. That's a picture of us while we were training beside a waterfall in Kyoto. He always calls me baka deshi and he insists that I call him shishou…" Kenshin paused and looked afar, "…but you know what? We were really very close."
"So you and you're father are swordsmen?" Yahiko inquired, obviously interested.
"Yes," Kenshin nodded as he motioned towards the kitchen. Changing the topic, he asked. "So Kaoru? Are you going to cook for us tonight?"
"You bet!!!" Kaoru said gleefully.
Misao grabbed her arm and whispered, "Kaoru-chan, I don't think you should poison your prospect on the technically second date."
Kaoru's eyes twitched in irritation as she whacked Misao with her bokken.
Surprisingly, Aoshi caught Misao just in time and carried her to the sofa.
Aoshi-sama? Misao closed her eyes as intense images flooded to her. 'Hanya-kun, Aoshi's back to me…' Hmm? Just exactly like in my dream… No! No! No! This is madness! Musn't tell Kaoru… She then pretended to be lifeless as she leaned her head on Aoshi's chest. Aoshi didn't seem to mind and sat on the sofa with Misao on his lap.
Kaoru followed Kenshin towards the Kitchen and began to brew her magical recipe. [chibi-angel sweatdrops.] She pulled up the sleeves of her uniform and said proudly, "Okay Kenshin! I'll cook you an Italian Meal I learned in television. Lasagna, Chicken Romano, Eggplant Parmesan and Baked Rice. Prepare to be amazed."
"Alright Kaoru, I'll leave you alone in the kitchen, for now. Just call me when you need anything. And Kaoru…" Kenshin whispered in her ear as he touched her shoulder, "Thank you for introducing me to your friends. I appreciate it."
Kaoru blushed and turned around her head blushing even deeper upon the realization that their faces were only inches apart. She looked the other way and stammered, "Ano… you're welcome."
Kenshin left Kaoru and sat on the sofa with the gang. He didn't say anything at all at first. He just silently observed them conversing and treating each other like family. That's right… My family… Oro?
"Kenshin," Aoshi said almost smiling, "You look like you just said 'Oro' on your mind."
"Oro!!" Kenshin stared at Aoshi wide-eyed.
"Oh Ken-san you are so cute!" Megumi said standing up from Sano's embrace.
Sano glared at her and pulled her back, embracing her more tightly this time, "Oi kitsune, you won't get away this time."
"I was just teasing you rooster," Megumi said as she kissed Sano's cheek.
Misao enviously stared at the two couple as she snuggled closer to Aoshi. Aoshi shifted to give room to Misao, making her smile grow wider.
Kenshin sighed at the sight in front of him, I hope Kaoru will snuggle up like that on me, too.
"Minna! Dinner is ready!!!" Kaoru called out, placing the platter on the dinner table.
Everybody sweatdropped, seeing the pile of something, which does not resemble food, in front of them.
Kenshin smiled heartily and tapped the chair beside him, motioning Kaoru to sit. He softly touched Kaoru's hands, "Thank you for the meal. It smells good."
Kaoru smiled at Kenshin while she glared at her friends who are turning green at the sight in front of them. She muttered, "Some friends you are."
Kenshin placed servings of each viand on his plate as he began to eat. He looked up and smiled, "Tastes good, Kaoru!"
Sano looked at him as if he were crazy while Megumi pressed her hand against Kenshin's forehead to see if he was sick.
Kaoru was about to establish a catfight when the doorbell rang, "Oi Yahiko! Open the door will you!"
"Che busu! Why are you being bossy as if this was your house!?" Yahiko frowned as he walked towards the door. His frown was replaced by awe when he opened the door. He managed to choke out, "Tsu… Tsu…," as he stared wide-eyed at the new visitor.
"Who is it Yahiko?" Kenshin asked as he stood up from his seat.
"Kenshin-san… it's me Tsubame Sanjou." Tsubame said in between sobs as she entered his apartment.
"Tsubame! What happened!?" Kenshin asked as he hugged the little girl.
By now, everyone left the dinning table and surrounded the girl.
"It… It's… Hiko-sama!!!" She choked out, bursting into tears.
Kenshin eyes widened as his heart beat rapidly. He grasped Tsubame's shoulders and demanded, "Tell me! What happened to father!!??"
Special thanks to all those who left a review!!!
Susan- Hope this chap answers your question… more waff to come!
Hana-chan- yup, the mail lagged so I changed it now.
Sync*in- thanks a lot, I am glad you liked it.
Koneko-dono- thanks!!! When are you going to update Aishiteru Forever? Hehehe… sorry can't help it… =)
M@ry- Hehehe… wait 'til the next chapter…
Dementedchris- Oh yeah, I wouldn't tolerate his rurouni speed when it comes to love in my fic.
Emerentiana- Wait 'til Kaoru does the move… ohohoho!!!
Rachel- Ahem! Ahem! hehehe
Midori-chan- Want me to write a Midori insertion fic? kidding.
Omochi- Hehehe… you ain't seen Kaoru doing the moves yet!
JML- I just love it when people refer to Kenshin as a dragon. Hehehe… never thought dragons were so sexy…
Kawaii- Hmm… since sakura is the national flower of Japan, I decided to name Battousai's woman in the play, Sakura.
Battousai Angel- Here it is as requested.
Bunny- thanks for the review ::hugs:: reviews mean a lot!
KnK4ever- Yup, one of the reasons I love chocolates.
Manina- I hope the poll answers your question.
Saiera-I know… what if it happened to me?!
Seashell- thanks! I will!
Raphie- More kisses to come! I assure you that.
Macy- Sorry for the confusion, I am glad I am able to clear that out.
Evilcharsa- Thanks! =) I really want to reply to the reviews I receive.
Naomi- thanks I will!
Special Thanks to Hana-chan who pre-read my chapters…
Author's Notes:
The results of the poll is posted in the previous chapter. Hope the waff of the other characters in this chapter will suffice… for the moment, that is. More A/M and S/M to come but for the next couple of chapters will be focused on K/K… I want to develop their relationship in a nice way…
Thank you for the one who nominated me in Talaco's RK awards… ::hugs::
Okey minna… here's a cliffhanger… I have actually finished the next two chapters last week… I just need to revise them. Sorry for the bad news but I think the next chapter won't be out anytime soon… Chibi-angel is depressed!!! My heart is so shattered and I just want to break down and cry but the tears just won't fall… [Sob! Sob!] Sorry for the cheesy angst. Don't mind me… I just need all the inspiration I can get!
Read and Review Everyone!