Chapter 5- There Is Only You

Chapter 5- There Is Only You

Disclaimers: Standard RK disclaimers apply. Oh, and I'm borrowing the characters of Flame of Recca too, strictly for entertainment purposes of course. This is an RK fic set in the alternate-universe. A sequel of my fic, "Binding Hearts".

************

Fuuko gawked at the array of dishes on the round table in Kaoru and Misao's kitchen. Kenshin turned around with s smile on his face and Tokiya was seated on the head chair, calmly reading the newspaper as if he owned the place.

"Nani wo utennen?" asked Fuuko as she surveyed the food on the table with a critical eye. Tokiya set down the paper as he shrugged. "Maa. Hikoshichiro got up and began preparing breakfast like a ritual. Since I always read the newspaper in the morning, here I am," he answered before burying his nose back on the news.

Kaoru stumbled into the kitchen, wearing her reading glasses that tilted precariously over her nose. She was wearing a completely dumbfounded expression on her face too. Tears began coursing down her cheeks in torrents. "Masaka! He cooks better than I do! Argh!" exclaimed Kaoru as a blue line crossed her face.

"Ohayou gozaimasu Kaoru-dono," greeted Kenshin as he removed the apron he tied around his waist. He pulled Kaoru and Fuuko's chairs for them as the two females sat down heavily. Of all the Kirisawa cousins, it was only Misao who can cook edible meals. Both Fuuko's and Kaoru's face was scarlet but as they sat down, they fell on their breakfasts heartily, unaware that Tokiya and Kenshin were watching them.

"Ano... Kaoru-dono, I didn't know you wear glasses?" asked Kenshin in surprise as he sipped his tea. Kaoru looked up and self-consciously pulled off her glasses.

"Iie, not really, I only wear it when I'm using the computer because the brightness of the screen hurts my eyes," answered Kaoru as Fuuko stopped in mid-chew. "Oi, why are you using the PC so early in the morning, e-mail?" asked Fuuko as she gazed at her cousin's reddening expression.

Kaoru just shrugged and resumed eating her breakfast. She was a little embarrassed to bring up her strange dream last night. "Book of Binding Spells," she muttered under her breath in English. Kenshin looked up and cocked his head in question, "Nani?" he asked. Kaoru just smiled and shook her head. Right now, her computer was searching all possible data and information about that book. It was so strange, her dream seemed as if it really happened sometime in history.

"Origiri Kaoru-dono?" offered Kenshin snapping Kaoru out of her reverie. Kaoru smiled and took two from his plate. "Arigatou Kenshin," she said before scarfing it down.

*************

When Misao woke up, the sunlight was poring heavily inside Aoshi's bedroom. As she surveyed her surroundings, she realized with a start that Aoshi Shirofuji was actually very rich.

"Shirofuji... I could have sworn I heard that name somewhere before..." muttered Misao as she swung her sore legs over to the bed's side. Her knees nearly buckled as she shakily stood up on her own two feet. "Kuso, I'm really helpless," thought Misao angrily as she gripped the intricately carved wooden bedpost.

She examined herself carefully, not wanting to fall flat on her face or faint in the middle of walking. Although Aoshi's shirt properly covered her thighs, it was still pretty short. She can see the cuts and purple bruises she received from the previous night. Her head still hurt badly too. Her hair began falling on her face, her braid having been unraveled during the restless night.

"Misao!" reprimanded Aoshi sternly as he opened his bedroom door and found the girl still clinging to his bedpost, looking as limp and frail as a kitten. Sparking ocean-blue eyes came out of the raven tangle as Misao scowled at Aoshi. "Aoshi-sama, I'm sick of this bed! I'm not an invalid you know!" retorted Misao wincing as she tried to walk around a bit. Her knees gave out and she found herself stumbling, cringing at the sharp pain in her ribs.

Aoshi sighed as he deftly caught the young girl in his arms and dropped her back in his bed. Even though in pain, Misao managed to glare at him and pout petulantly. Aoshi then heaved a tray over, placing it in Misao's lap. "Maybe your pig-headedness would decrease after you have breakfast," he said wryly as Misao uncovered her tray.

"Is this safe enough to eat?" asked Misao suspiciously as she gazed at the scrambled eggs and bacon with hashed potatoes. Aoshi reddened a bit as Misao gingerly lifted a forkful of eggs into her mouth. Misao's eyes widened after tasting it. It was a little too salty but seeing the flush on Aoshi's face, Misao grudgingly said, "Its delicious Aoshi-sama, arigatou."

She ate for awhile in silence, trying to digest the too abundantly flavored meal. She found it sweet that Aoshi cooked for her but the next time she gets well enough, she's going to cook him a delicious meal! "Have you eaten breakfast?" asked Misao after biting into a raisin loaf bread which thankfully was store-bought. She blushed a little after looking up at Aoshi's face again. Darn it, he was just so kawaii!

A slight flush crept up Aoshi's neck. He shook his head and said, "Aa." Misao looked at his answer doubtfully before shoving a forkful of hashed brown potatoes in Aoshi's mouth. She giggled at his stunned expression as she said, "Then I'll share my breakfast with you."

A slight smile tugged up the corner of Aoshi's mouth as he grabbed the other spoon and put a spoonful of cereals in Misao's giggling mouth. Misao choked and glared at Aoshi amidst coughing and choking. Aoshi patted Misao's back as Misao glared at him. "Daijoubu? All right, gomen, gomen, I'll share your breakfast with you, " said Aoshi in resignation as he saw the unrelenting glint in Misao's eyes.

"Ano... Aoshi-sama, have you ever heard about the Book of Binding Spells?" asked Misao after drinking her coffee. Aoshi looked at her in surprise as he shook his head, "Iie Misao but I could have sworn I heard Megumi-san and Tsubame-chan talk about something like that," answered Aoshi.

Misao looked surprised as well. "You know the Sagaras then Aoshi?" she asked after hearing the name of Sanosuke Sagara IV's wife, Megumi, a famous collector and surgeon. "Oh, so you know them too?" asked Aoshi also a bit surprised knowing mutual acquaintances.

Misao giggled. "Hai. Myojin Yahiko III is Kaoru-neechan's sensei in Kamiya kasshin ryuu. His son, Yahiko also happens to like Tsubame-chan," informed Misao. Aoshi raised an eloquent eyebrow and calmly sipped his tea. He sat silent for a while before asking, "Would you like me to take you back to your sister now Misao?" tensing a bit as he asked.

Misao tensed too. "Do you want me to go?" she asked almost fearing his answer.

Aoshi contemplated a bit. His answer was honest, surprising himself and Misao. " Iie, but your sister might be worried about you," he said heavily.

Misao thought a bit too as she sighed in resignation.

"Thank you for that I think. You're right, besides I wouldn't want to involve you in this mess," added Misao almost as an afterthought. She blushed as she looked at his shirt which she was wearing. "Umm, my clothes were a little torn up last night, can you spare me a couple of your clothes?" she asked shyly.

Aoshi stood up shortly and walked over to his armoire. He pulled it open and looked at his vast array of clothes, trying to think of what would fit Misao's tiny frame best. He felt.... I don't know, sad? He realized then how much brighter his unit seemed having Misao with him in it. 'But she's none of my business right? She's just another girl whom I was supposed to kill but didn't. I just winded up rescuing her from Mokuren,' he thought grimly as he gazed absently at his clothes.

A pillow hit him smack in the head. He whipped around and saw Misao scowling impatiently at him. "I'm not that hard to find decent clothes for Aoshi-sama!" she said huffily before dropping back in his bed with a groan at the pulling of her ribs.

Aoshi looked at her in astonishment, never has he met a female as provoking as her! Not to mention as lovable! He thought how absolutely delicious she thought lying in his bed, wearing only his shirt. He scowled to cover his lust. He grabbed a soft silk green shirt and threw it at her, ignoring her outraged expression. He smirked arrogantly, "Gomen Misao-chan, that's about my smallest shirt," he said as he ruffled her hair.

*********************

Kaoru tapped her fingers impatiently as she waited for the results to show. 'Thirty minutes and counting,' she thought scowling wearily at the computer screen. She glanced over her shoulder and saw everyone, as in everyone scattered all over her penthouse.

Yanagi was quietly drawing in the sofa with Recca fast asleep against Yanagi's shoulder. Domon was pestering Fuuko who was sprawled in the oversized bean-bag reading Misao's favorite pocketbook. Tokiya was pouring over a chemistry book while stealing discreet glances at Fuuko and Domon and scowling every now and then. Kenshin looked up from reading his own textbook when he felt Kaoru's eyes on him. He smiled at her, his violet eyes warm and gentle.

Kaoru could feel a wretched blush rising as she met Kenshin's eyes. She smiled back shyly.

I love you...Aishiteru...

Kaoru started at that thought. Where the heck did that come from? Did she just think about it? It was as if a voice from deep inside her said it, and another voice answered back.

Kenshin was gazing at her with an unfathomable expression in his eyes and Kaoru felt goose-bumps rise over her arms. Her eyes then riveted to her PC screen, "Search complete... Book of Binding Spells... found....." she read as the front door opened.

"Yatta!" whispered Kaoru feeling a sense of accomplishment. Fuuko's sudden shout made her whirl around in disbelief.

"Misao-chan!!!!" yelled Fuuko as she ran towards Misao who was grinning widely as she leaned against the arm of a tall, silent stranger with icy blue eyes who looked at Misao with infinitely tender eyes.

**********************

Author's Notes:

Wai! Wai! Done, this part was supposed to be pure fluff but guess it wasn't. Arigatou gozaimasu to Mrs. Mean Osment, Ginarae and Nina-chan for the support. Minna, if you want to read Binding Hearts or the first few episodes of my Intricacies, just e-mail me ne?

Ja!