Standard Disclaimers Apply.
Chapter Eleven Surfacing Hearts
The gang left the theater together and decided to eat dinner at Kaoru and Kenshin's home. Life in the Kamiya house followed the same old routine.
After changing clothes, Kenshin headed to the kitchen to prepare their dinner. Kaoru followed him for their nightly cooking lessons.
Meanwhile, Aoshi and Misao sat comfortably in the sofa, watching television. Yahiko practiced with his bokken out on the garden. Sano and Megumi cuddled in the front porch.
Dinner was served and the family sat around the table for their meal. As usual, Sano and Yahiko fought for the extra serving of sashimi. Their usual antics continued until they finished dinner. The others stayed and chat for a while before leaving.
When Kenshin and Kaoru were finally alone in the house, they proceeded to their nightly grooming habits. After that incident, they followed a bathroom schedule. Kaoru took the bath before Kenshin. After dressing up, Kaoru would wait in the living room until Kenshin finished bathing. They would talk for a while there, while watching television and then, go upstairs together to sleep in their respective rooms.
Yup, everything was routinely done to the very second for the past couple of days until that midnight. Kenshin tossed and turned that night because of the images that played back repeatedly on his head. Images of Kaoru in a kimono and him on a gi. Images of both of them cuddling inside a dojo. Images of Soujiro looking down at Kaoru while she struggled to cover herself. Images of them kissing at the river by the light of fireflies. Many incoherent images plagued him, that it drove him out of his bed. He needed to think. He needed to inhale fresh air. He needed space to contemplate.
He looked around the house for the perfect place to think. Seeing none, he decided to go up the roof. As a child, he never knew why, but whenever he needed to be alone or whenever he wanted to think or to sort his emotions, he climbed up the roof.
Trying to be as quiet as possible not to disturb Kaoru, he jumped up and sat on the roof. He stared at the stars as he thought, I can't take it anymore. I almost lost control when I thought Soujiro was going to hurt Kaoru. I felt as if a flame inside me had been ignited causing me to react so violently. He closed his eyes and allowed the images to flow back. I love her. I love her so much… but, will she reciprocate my feelings? Will I end up hurting her? Am I worthy of her? There are so many questions in my mind now… I am so confused. My heart is saying go for it but my mind keeps taunting me that I am not worthy of her. That I will just stain her. I don't even know where I get this thoughts, but it continuously bugs me and it is driving me crazy. His thoughts were cut short when he heard shuffling sounds. Kaoru-dono…
Kaoru struggled going up the roof. When she finally made it there, she sat beside Kenshin and gazed at the sky, "What were you doing here?"
"Thinking… How did you find me?"
"I don't know… I guess, I had the feeling that you'd be here."
"Oh…"
Kaoru closed her eyes and sighed, "The bluest sky is crystal clear…"
"… and infinitely high," Kenshin finished.
Kaoru looked up at Kenshin and asked curiously, "How did you know that?"
"Honestly, I don't know… it just pops out of my head whenever I look at the sky," Kenshin replied.
"Weird…" Kaoru whispered.
"Why?" Kenshin looked at her quizzically.
"I think of the same thing," Kaoru said as she leaned her head on Kenshin's shoulder. Kaoru let out an audible sigh as she said, "Mou Kenshin! I was so worried about you. I knocked on your door but nobody answered me. I… I thought you left me."
"Why would you think that?"
"I don't know… I don't know why, but I am always afraid that one day you might leave me and then, I'll be all alone again. Kenshin… I want to be with you forever," Kaoru gasped and held her hand to her mouth at what she said. She didn't know what came over her to say it out loud but it was exactly what her heart had been screaming for since the day she met him.
Kenshin too, was surprised but was happy at the same time. He caressed Kaoru's cheek as he said affectionately, "Since I came back from Kyoto… Since the time you welcomed me back, my heart had been very happy. This man has found his partner…"
Kaoru eyes widened and looked deep into his eyes as he titled her chin towards him.
"…A place to go home to. I only had myself to come back…" Kenshin slowly leaned forward and captured Kaoru's lips with his own.
Between the kisses, Kenshin whispered, "I love you, Kaoru-dono."
"I love you, too, Kenshin, my rurouni."
Both did not understand the words, which flowed from their mouths, but their hearts accepted them with much ardor. They do not know where they got those familiar lines but they did not care… they were just expressing what their hearts were dictating them. And they felt good finally letting it out in the open.
The couple continued kissing each other passionately, pouring out all their repressed desires. When they finally stopped to breathe, Kenshin stood up and carried Kaoru on his arms as he swiftly jumped down to the ground with a soft thud.
He carried her inside the door as he continued kissing her. He entered her room and sat on the bed with her on his lap. He pulled back at their kiss as he caressed Kaoru's cheek, "Kaoru, you're sleepy."
Kaoru narrowed her eyes at Kenshin as she raised her lips, brushing it tenderly against his. Shortly, Kaoru partly opened her lips to allow Kenshin's tongue to enter. They explored each other's mouth will gentle strokes. She softly moaned in pleasure as she tightened her embrace, succumbing to the sensation.
Kenshin removed the ribbon from her hair causing it to cascade down. He wrapped his arms more tightly on Kaoru's waist as he pushed his weight down causing them to lay on the bed with Kenshin on top. He stroked Kaoru's soft hair as he continued kissing her lips. Noticing Kaoru's exhaustion, he pulled away gently kissing her face instead. Her forehead, her nose, her cheeks and finally her neck. He was about to resume kissing her face when the phone rang.
"Don't mind it," Kaoru said breathlessly as she turned over their position. Kaoru lowered her face as she pressed kisses on his face like he did. She then lowered her lips to his neck as she sucked the hollow of his neck. She ended it with a love bite causing Kenshin to let out a soft moan.
Kaoru began to unbutton Kenshin's shirt but he placed his hand on hers, motioning her to stop, "Kaoru, I think we should stop now
Kaoru sat up and blushed a deep shade of red as she felt her shyness flooding back to her. She squeaked, "Sorry, Kenshin. I didn't mean… Ano… Sorry…."
Kenshin felt guilty for causing her discomfort so he sat up and hugged her. He whispered, "Don't be sorry, Kaoru. I, myself, exerted a great deal of effort to control myself. I love you, that's why we musn't do this…"
"I know," Kaoru said looking down. "I guess I got carried away."
Kenshin brushed his lips against Kaoru's for the last time and said, "We need to go to sleep now. We have class tomorrow. I love you Kaoru-dono."
"I love you, my rurouni." Kaoru smiled.
With that, Kenshin left to go to his room. He sighed to himself, "Kaoru-dono… I am so overwhelmed to be able to love you again… Oro?!?" Kenshin scratched his head in confusion, "Now where did I get that dono? Again? Hmm… I must be very sleepy." Kenshin went back to his room and succumbed to slumber.
~~~~~
The next day, Kenshin and Kaoru walked hand in hand towards school. When they reached their destination, they parted ways to go to their first class. Kaoru's first class was Physics and Kenshin's was gym class. Kaoru pecked Kenshin's cheek before entering her classroom causing Kenshin to blush.
Kaoru was welcomed by a grinning Misao when she entered her classroom. She asked, "Misao, what are you grinning about?"
"Kaoru! You naughty girl!!!" Misao winked as she nudged Kaoru.
"What are you talking about?!" Kaoru demanded, blushing furiously.
"Oh c'mon Kaoru, I don't need to spy on you to know what happened! If you want to keep your relationship with Kenshin a secret, don't kiss on the roof!! I live three houses away from you, Kaoru…" Misao said matter-of-factly.
"Oh," Kaoru grinned as she recalled what happened the night before.
"So, how was it?"
"Hentai!" Kaoru said, slapping Misao. "I know what you're thinking and it's not like that!"
"Hmph! I knew Kenshin didn't have it in him! Anyway, you can't blame me for that assumption because you weren't answering the phone when I called!"
"Oh…" Kaoru muttered as she blushed even deeper.
"So? How did you seduce Kenshin?"
"Mmmmiiiiissssaaaooooo!!!!" Kaoru erupted causing the whole class to face-fault.
~~~~~
Kenshin had a smile plastered on his face when he entered the men's locker room.
"Oi Kenshin! You seem to be in such a good mood today," Sano greeted.
Kenshin nodded, the smile never leaving his face. He dropped his bag on the bench room as he changed into his gi and hakama. He removed his jacket and unbuttoned his polo.
Something caught Aoshi's attention and he said matter-of-factly, "Of course, he is happy. He didn't sleep well last night."
Kenshin's eyes widened as he blushed a deep shade of red.
Sano looked baffled at what Aoshi said. He titled his head to scrutinize Kenshin's looks. "Well, you're eyes are a little puffy. So what does his happiness have to do with his lack of sleep?" Sano asked as he scratched his head.
Soujiro entered the locker room and flashed them his infamous smile, "Good morning, everyone! Oh Kenshin, I see you had finally admitted it."
Kenshin looked shocked at Soujiro's comment. How could he have known? Is my ki screaming it out?
"Will anybody please tell me why Kenshin is so happy? Why does everybody seem to know and I don't!!!" Sano exploded. He waved around his fists in the air, threatening Kenshin, "Teme!!! I thought I was your best friend! Why did you tell all of them and not me!?"
Aoshi smirked and said, "Kenshin did not tell us anything. If you would open your eyes, you'd be able to see…"
"…that Kenshin has a hickey!" Soujiro grinned as he pointed at the red spot on Kenshin's neck.
Kenshin gasped and squeaked, "Oro!" He immediately ran towards the mirror and looked at his sore spot more quickly. His face reddened the same shade of his hair as he recalled when Kaoru sucked that part and bit it. Ororororo!!! Why didn't I notice this sooner? I'll never hear the end of it. Orororo!!! Kenshin thought miserably.
Sano grinned mischievously and said, "Oh, so you got some loving action from jou-chan, eh?"
"It's not what you think de gozaru yo!" Kenshin snapped, his eyes flashing amber for a second.
When Sano noticed the change in Kenshin's eye color, he shivered, Looks like I hit a nerve. Sano backed away and said, "Maa, Kenshin. I was just teasing."
The violet hue returned from his eyes as he said calmly, "Sorry for that, I just don't want anybody to speak ill of Kaoru-dono de gozaru… Oro?"
Aoshi looked at him quizzically and asked, "Kenshin, what's with the de gozaru and dono?"
"Oro? I actually don't know… sometimes it just slips from my tongue. I don't even know where I got it," Kenshin replied.
Sano placed his arm on Kenshin's shoulder and asked, "So? What happened?"
"That's our business, Sano. And I know what you're thinking, we didn't do it."
"I wasn't thinking that, Kenshin," Sano said innocently, "…I always knew you never had the guts."
Aoshi nodded.
"Ororororo!!! Sano!!!" Kenshin protested as he blushed furiously.
"Oh well, I am glad you were able to confess you're feelings before she found another man to love," Soujiro commented sadly as he recalled his past love… Misao.
Kenshin's face softened as he said, "Soujiro, I never thought you had any other emotion other than happiness. I guess love changes people, ne?"
Soujiro snapped out of his stupor and said, "Huh? I guess so…" He turned to them with his smile returning to his face, "Oh well, I got to go now, I don't want to be late. Ja!"
"What was that about?" Sano inquired.
"He made the wrong decisions," Aoshi said icily as he walked out of the room.
"Oi Kenshin!" Sano called out.
"What?"
"The play will be opening in a couple of days. Are you nervous?"
"What do you think?"
Preview of Next Chapter:
Surfacing Hearts II (Lime Teaser!! Other pairings!!)
Author's notes:
Minna… no violent reactions please… I really love Soujiro/Misao that's why I can't help but insert it even a little bit. Oh come on, don't be mad!! Aoshi's got Misao now, ne? And they are happy together!! =)
I don't know if you've noticed but Kenshin's slips happens more often now. He also sees incoherent images now. And well, the rooftop scene… I used some of the dialogue from the subtitles of Seishou Hen. Its slowly coming back to them but they don't even notice it. Hmmm… what do you think? Will they notice it or will they ignore it? Hehehe… Read on and find out!
Thanks to all those who left a review and even those who didn't…Susan, Takato Taikashi, Shiari, Macy, Gypsy-chan, Ruby Hatchet, Marstanuki- I'm glad you liked the links I added. I wanted to give you visuals for the chap. It's the least I can do for you! =)
E-chan Hidaka, Battousai Angel, Tsuki-sama, KuroNeko-Sama, Demon-Wolf- the next chap will be posted on Tuesday like I said… thanks for the compliment. Knowing that people like my fic inspires me.
Midori-chan, M@ry, Natty, Anh- wait 'til you read the next chap! Your monitor is going to be eaten by ants! Heheh
Ming-chan- I know this wasn't actually what you asked for but I hope this suffices! =)
Momori- actually I got it from the pictures. Anyway, thanks I didn't know I had it in me.
JK- Of course not! I appreciate long or short reviews!!
Omochi- Kenshin no hentai!! I commend you for always seeing through that innocent façade of his. Ohohoho!!
Hatokirei, Sulky girl- ohhhh shucks!! Thanks!!! I'm into theater and well, let's just say that… ::blushes:: forget it! Hehehe.
Special Thanks to Hana-chan for pre-reading this!~~~sorry if I can't write individual responses… I want to start writing on Deadly Family Ties already. =)
**Announcement! JML is looking for someone who can draw Kenshin as Battousai being possessive of Kaoru. If you are willing, please tell me so I can tell him or just mail him =)
Hope you enjoy this so far!!! PLEASE tell me what you think! Comments, suggestions, reactions, constructive criticisms, love advice ::whoops::, waff demands are welcome!