Disclaimer: The characters of Rurouni Kenshin belong to someone other than
me. This story was not written for sale or profit but pure enjoyment. So
please read and enjoy.
Somewhere in the Middle
Chapter 3: A Promise Made
~~~Driving away from the warehouse, Kenshin felt someone watching him. He quickly glanced over his shoulder but was unable to see anyone. Returning his attention to driving, he was several blocks away when he noticed a pair of fingerless gloves lying on the seat beside him. Making a quick decision to return the gloves to Cho, Kenshin flipped his turn signal on.
Pulling into a store parking lot, he carefully drove through returning back to the road leading to the warehouse. He pulled back into traffic returning in the opposite direction from where he came. With his blinker on he waited for a truck to leave so he could pull back into the warehouse parking lot.
Parking in the same spot where he had parked earlier he took particular notice of the little red car parked next to him. Something about the car triggered a feeling that he couldn't grasp and having things to do he kept walking.
He listened to Cho's voice as he entered the warehouse.
"Like that is ever going to happen," Cho said smiling as he released the button on the stand up radio receiver.
It will, you just wait and see came back a sarcastic response.
He made a face at the radio receiver sitting in front of him. Looking up when he heard the door open Cho signaled for Kenshin to come in. He pushed himself away from the desk wheeling over behind the door where there as a small table with a coffee pot
"What's up Doc?" Cho laughed while fixing him self a cup of coffee. "I always wanted to say that. Want a cup?" he asked while stirring his coffee.
"No thanks," Kenshin politely said.
"What brought you back, Doc?" he asked holding his coffee in one hand as he wheeled back with the other one. Setting his coffee on his desk, he looked at Kenshin.
"Thought you might need these," Kenshin smiled tossing the gloves to Cho.
"Oh yea, I would have missed them. For just around the office, I don't need them but when I go places my hands need the extra protection when I grab the wheels and the gloves help a lot. Thanks doc," he said catching the gloves he stuffed them down next to his legs.
"I know, that's why I brought them back," Kenshin said.
"I pulled up those figures for you and sent them already. But you can look it over now and let me know later if you want," he said handing him a piece of paper.
Kenshin walked over and took the paper that Cho had extended to him. Glancing at the figure at the bottom of the page, he sighed.
"We would have to do a layover Saturday night in Kyoto and be back by Sunday afternoon. Is this ok with you?" Cho asked flipping through his schedule book, "And we can do it next weekend."
"Yes, that would be fine. I can meet you there on Saturday," Kenshin said folding the paper. I can finish some old business at the same time, he thought.
The door opened and Sano walked in carrying takeout food in both hands shutting the door with his elbows.
"Are you ready to eat, Idiot?" Sano asked Cho as he walked towards his desk with a smirk on his face. Setting the food on Cho's desk he noticed Kenshin.
"Sano, this is Dr. Kenshin Himura," Cho said taking a sip of his coffee then making a horrid face, "Who made this coffee today?"
"Kaoru did…" Sano shrugged as Cho sighed, "I'm Sanosuke Sagara, owner and main driver. Say, are you the Doctor that wanted to fight with Cho?"
"Yup he's the one. Good thing I didn't know he wasn't serious at the time. I wouldn't have worked so hard to get my strength back," Cho said looking at his coffee with one eye trying to decide just how bad he wanted to drink it.
Sano laughed and said, "Oh this is too good. You should have seen him when he came home. He was constantly talking about this red headed Doctor that he was going to cut up into bite sized pieces when he got stronger." Sano took another look at Kenshin then burst into another fit of laughter. He quickly recovered saying, "Sorry but you don't look like a fighter."
Kenshin smiled and said, "I'm not, I just know what motivates people and it seems that it worked on Cho."
"Yea and now he's my doctor. Dr Gensai is going to retire soon and the Doc is going to run the clinic," Cho said winking at Kenshin then looking at Sano.
"Well it's good to meet you, Dr. Himura," Sano said extending his hand.
"Call me Kenshin," he said taking the extended hand noting the firm handshake and the rough skin of his fingers.
"Kenshin, it is then. What can we do for you, Kenshin?" Sano asked walking over to stand behind Cho.
"I need some furniture hauled from Kyoto," Kenshin said noticing how the young man had placed himself in a very protective position in regards to Cho.
"Will Kamatari be able to drive?" Cho asked leaning back hooking one arm over his wheel chair to look at Sano, "I figured two trucks for the trip. Furniture is usually bulky but not to heavy."
"Nope, he'll be busy that weekend with the fashion show," Sano said scratching the back of his head.
"The only other driver we have for the weekend is Kaoru and there is no way that she would drive in Kyoto," Cho said shaking his head. Leaning forward he moved the mouse to his computer then clicked bringing up a new screen.
"Want to bet, I can get her to drive," Sano said sporting a cocky grin, "I'll just use my charm on her, she falls for it every time."
"Your… charm? Like you did this morning? I don't think you can pull it off. Boy, what an easy win," Cho snickered,
"When she screams what am I suppose to do?" he shrugged his shoulders. Turning to face Kenshin, he continued with zeal, "I went in her room to find out what was wrong and she about brained me. Now I tell you, is that any way for her to treat me? After all she's just like a sister to me, we were raised together…" he stopped talking when he realized that he was trying to convince Kenshin that he did a very gallant thing by charging into her room that morning.
"We do have one other option," Cho said a monster grin on his face gingerly pointing at his computer screen.
"Can it, brain boy. There is no way that we are asking…" Sano angrily stated shaking his head.
"Ah excuse me but… Can you make the trip?" Kenshin asked quizzically looking from Sano to Cho.
"Don't worry well be there, just give us the address and we will have two trucks with drivers there," Sano said with a smile back on his face.
Kenshin unfolded the paper, picking up a pen off Cho's desk he wrote the address on the paper handing it to Cho.
"Not a problem Doc. We'll be there and we'll get your furniture hauled," Cho said typing on his computer keyboard once again.
"Ok. Thank you, I'll see you next Saturday then," Kenshin said giving each man a polite bow.
"I like him," Cho said watching Kenshin as he left the building. Sano nodded his head taking a bit of food.
~~~Kenshin stood outside the clinic several minutes just looking at the building before he was able to enter. He felt like the weight of another burden was being placed on his unworthy shoulders.
He could have refused the responsibility but his feelings ran to deep for the people involved. In the short span of a few months, he went from a single man with no responsibilities to a single man with two pre-teen girls and a clinic.
Walking into the clinic he was feeling very glum when he heard a familiar voice say, "Well now don't you look like something the cat dragged in."
Surprised he froze when he saw Tokio sitting behind the front desk. He could only stand and stare. She smiled as their eyes met. Picking up a chart from the desk she walked over to stand in front of him. Looking at Kenshin she frowned waiting for him to say something.
He opened his mouth then promptly closed it again. "Didn't think I'd take you up on your offer, now did you?" she asked her frown turning into a smile. "You can breathe now, I am just here to help you get settled in," she laughed as he let out the breath he was holding.
"Have you met Dr. Gensai yet?" Kenshin asked relief flooding him. Making the transition from Kyoto to Tokyo just became easier for him. He knew that Tokio would take care of the mundane problems of the clinic until he could get settled in and take care of them himself. He just hoped that was all she intended to take care of.
"Yes I met him early this morning. I had to leave to run an errand and just got back," she said walking back to the file cabinet. Bending over she opened the bottom drawer, found where it belonged, and slipped it into place.
"Thank you for coming over and helping me out," he slowly said his eyes watching her skirt tightened as she bent over showing the smooth curve of her hips.
"Well it's the least that I could do," she said. Standing up she peeked over her shoulder, smiling when their eyes met.
"Is HE ok with you being here?" he nervously asked blushing when she turned around smiling at him.
"Oh HE will survive," Tokio smiled then sat back down at the desk. Picking out a few of the papers on her desk, she said, "I have several people to interviewing on Monday and should have some one trained by Friday."
"I am making a trip to Kyoto on Saturday. I can escort you back," he offered.
"I don't need the escort but would enjoy the company," she said giving him a quick wink before returning her attention back to the papers on her desk.
Kenshin moved out of the way as Dr. Gensai appeared from the back room escorting a mother with her small child to the front door. She politely bowed, thanking the Doctor for taking care of her child.
Dr. Gensai closed the door, sighed, and walked a few steps toward Tokio. "Sorry the files are in such a mess. I've been working the clinic alone for to long," Dr. Gensai sadly apologized.
"It's not as bad as it looks," she said smiling at Dr. Gensai.
Dr. Gensai nodded his head before slowly walking toward the back rooms. Kenshin gave Tokio a final glance before following after him.
~~~Inside his office, Dr. Gensai slowly sat down in the faded old chair behind his desk. Motioning for Kenshin to sit down, he leaned forward resting his elbows on the desk.
The moment Kenshin had been hoping to avoid was finely here. Sitting down, Kenshin waited for the Doctor to begin the conversation.
Dr. Gensai cleared his throat and in a low voice asked, "Where do we begin?"
"Why don't we begin by telling me why you agreed to turn the clinic over to me?" Kenshin asked in a low voice. Taking in a deep breath, he waited for Dr. Gensai to speak.
Dr. Gensai rubbed his temples. Leaning back in his chair, he folded his hands together before finely saying, "Dr. Himura, I don't care about your past. All I'm interested in is the future of my granddaughters and this clinic that I've worked so hard to keep running."
Kenshin slowly let out his breath, looked at Dr. Gensai, and waited to see if he had anything more to say.
"I sacrificed everything for this clinic and in the end I lost the most important thing in the world; I lost my family. Last year when I came to Kyoto to visit my granddaughters, I saw how much they love you. I may be a foolish old man and I have no right to ask but I want them to be happy," he paused taking a deep breath before he continued, " I know you are an honorable man and I want your promise to take care of my granddaughters and the clinic then I can relinquish all control."
"I promise that I will take care of them," Kenshin said an uneasy feeling coming over him.
To be continued…
Somewhere in the Middle
Chapter 3: A Promise Made
~~~Driving away from the warehouse, Kenshin felt someone watching him. He quickly glanced over his shoulder but was unable to see anyone. Returning his attention to driving, he was several blocks away when he noticed a pair of fingerless gloves lying on the seat beside him. Making a quick decision to return the gloves to Cho, Kenshin flipped his turn signal on.
Pulling into a store parking lot, he carefully drove through returning back to the road leading to the warehouse. He pulled back into traffic returning in the opposite direction from where he came. With his blinker on he waited for a truck to leave so he could pull back into the warehouse parking lot.
Parking in the same spot where he had parked earlier he took particular notice of the little red car parked next to him. Something about the car triggered a feeling that he couldn't grasp and having things to do he kept walking.
He listened to Cho's voice as he entered the warehouse.
"Like that is ever going to happen," Cho said smiling as he released the button on the stand up radio receiver.
It will, you just wait and see came back a sarcastic response.
He made a face at the radio receiver sitting in front of him. Looking up when he heard the door open Cho signaled for Kenshin to come in. He pushed himself away from the desk wheeling over behind the door where there as a small table with a coffee pot
"What's up Doc?" Cho laughed while fixing him self a cup of coffee. "I always wanted to say that. Want a cup?" he asked while stirring his coffee.
"No thanks," Kenshin politely said.
"What brought you back, Doc?" he asked holding his coffee in one hand as he wheeled back with the other one. Setting his coffee on his desk, he looked at Kenshin.
"Thought you might need these," Kenshin smiled tossing the gloves to Cho.
"Oh yea, I would have missed them. For just around the office, I don't need them but when I go places my hands need the extra protection when I grab the wheels and the gloves help a lot. Thanks doc," he said catching the gloves he stuffed them down next to his legs.
"I know, that's why I brought them back," Kenshin said.
"I pulled up those figures for you and sent them already. But you can look it over now and let me know later if you want," he said handing him a piece of paper.
Kenshin walked over and took the paper that Cho had extended to him. Glancing at the figure at the bottom of the page, he sighed.
"We would have to do a layover Saturday night in Kyoto and be back by Sunday afternoon. Is this ok with you?" Cho asked flipping through his schedule book, "And we can do it next weekend."
"Yes, that would be fine. I can meet you there on Saturday," Kenshin said folding the paper. I can finish some old business at the same time, he thought.
The door opened and Sano walked in carrying takeout food in both hands shutting the door with his elbows.
"Are you ready to eat, Idiot?" Sano asked Cho as he walked towards his desk with a smirk on his face. Setting the food on Cho's desk he noticed Kenshin.
"Sano, this is Dr. Kenshin Himura," Cho said taking a sip of his coffee then making a horrid face, "Who made this coffee today?"
"Kaoru did…" Sano shrugged as Cho sighed, "I'm Sanosuke Sagara, owner and main driver. Say, are you the Doctor that wanted to fight with Cho?"
"Yup he's the one. Good thing I didn't know he wasn't serious at the time. I wouldn't have worked so hard to get my strength back," Cho said looking at his coffee with one eye trying to decide just how bad he wanted to drink it.
Sano laughed and said, "Oh this is too good. You should have seen him when he came home. He was constantly talking about this red headed Doctor that he was going to cut up into bite sized pieces when he got stronger." Sano took another look at Kenshin then burst into another fit of laughter. He quickly recovered saying, "Sorry but you don't look like a fighter."
Kenshin smiled and said, "I'm not, I just know what motivates people and it seems that it worked on Cho."
"Yea and now he's my doctor. Dr Gensai is going to retire soon and the Doc is going to run the clinic," Cho said winking at Kenshin then looking at Sano.
"Well it's good to meet you, Dr. Himura," Sano said extending his hand.
"Call me Kenshin," he said taking the extended hand noting the firm handshake and the rough skin of his fingers.
"Kenshin, it is then. What can we do for you, Kenshin?" Sano asked walking over to stand behind Cho.
"I need some furniture hauled from Kyoto," Kenshin said noticing how the young man had placed himself in a very protective position in regards to Cho.
"Will Kamatari be able to drive?" Cho asked leaning back hooking one arm over his wheel chair to look at Sano, "I figured two trucks for the trip. Furniture is usually bulky but not to heavy."
"Nope, he'll be busy that weekend with the fashion show," Sano said scratching the back of his head.
"The only other driver we have for the weekend is Kaoru and there is no way that she would drive in Kyoto," Cho said shaking his head. Leaning forward he moved the mouse to his computer then clicked bringing up a new screen.
"Want to bet, I can get her to drive," Sano said sporting a cocky grin, "I'll just use my charm on her, she falls for it every time."
"Your… charm? Like you did this morning? I don't think you can pull it off. Boy, what an easy win," Cho snickered,
"When she screams what am I suppose to do?" he shrugged his shoulders. Turning to face Kenshin, he continued with zeal, "I went in her room to find out what was wrong and she about brained me. Now I tell you, is that any way for her to treat me? After all she's just like a sister to me, we were raised together…" he stopped talking when he realized that he was trying to convince Kenshin that he did a very gallant thing by charging into her room that morning.
"We do have one other option," Cho said a monster grin on his face gingerly pointing at his computer screen.
"Can it, brain boy. There is no way that we are asking…" Sano angrily stated shaking his head.
"Ah excuse me but… Can you make the trip?" Kenshin asked quizzically looking from Sano to Cho.
"Don't worry well be there, just give us the address and we will have two trucks with drivers there," Sano said with a smile back on his face.
Kenshin unfolded the paper, picking up a pen off Cho's desk he wrote the address on the paper handing it to Cho.
"Not a problem Doc. We'll be there and we'll get your furniture hauled," Cho said typing on his computer keyboard once again.
"Ok. Thank you, I'll see you next Saturday then," Kenshin said giving each man a polite bow.
"I like him," Cho said watching Kenshin as he left the building. Sano nodded his head taking a bit of food.
~~~Kenshin stood outside the clinic several minutes just looking at the building before he was able to enter. He felt like the weight of another burden was being placed on his unworthy shoulders.
He could have refused the responsibility but his feelings ran to deep for the people involved. In the short span of a few months, he went from a single man with no responsibilities to a single man with two pre-teen girls and a clinic.
Walking into the clinic he was feeling very glum when he heard a familiar voice say, "Well now don't you look like something the cat dragged in."
Surprised he froze when he saw Tokio sitting behind the front desk. He could only stand and stare. She smiled as their eyes met. Picking up a chart from the desk she walked over to stand in front of him. Looking at Kenshin she frowned waiting for him to say something.
He opened his mouth then promptly closed it again. "Didn't think I'd take you up on your offer, now did you?" she asked her frown turning into a smile. "You can breathe now, I am just here to help you get settled in," she laughed as he let out the breath he was holding.
"Have you met Dr. Gensai yet?" Kenshin asked relief flooding him. Making the transition from Kyoto to Tokyo just became easier for him. He knew that Tokio would take care of the mundane problems of the clinic until he could get settled in and take care of them himself. He just hoped that was all she intended to take care of.
"Yes I met him early this morning. I had to leave to run an errand and just got back," she said walking back to the file cabinet. Bending over she opened the bottom drawer, found where it belonged, and slipped it into place.
"Thank you for coming over and helping me out," he slowly said his eyes watching her skirt tightened as she bent over showing the smooth curve of her hips.
"Well it's the least that I could do," she said. Standing up she peeked over her shoulder, smiling when their eyes met.
"Is HE ok with you being here?" he nervously asked blushing when she turned around smiling at him.
"Oh HE will survive," Tokio smiled then sat back down at the desk. Picking out a few of the papers on her desk, she said, "I have several people to interviewing on Monday and should have some one trained by Friday."
"I am making a trip to Kyoto on Saturday. I can escort you back," he offered.
"I don't need the escort but would enjoy the company," she said giving him a quick wink before returning her attention back to the papers on her desk.
Kenshin moved out of the way as Dr. Gensai appeared from the back room escorting a mother with her small child to the front door. She politely bowed, thanking the Doctor for taking care of her child.
Dr. Gensai closed the door, sighed, and walked a few steps toward Tokio. "Sorry the files are in such a mess. I've been working the clinic alone for to long," Dr. Gensai sadly apologized.
"It's not as bad as it looks," she said smiling at Dr. Gensai.
Dr. Gensai nodded his head before slowly walking toward the back rooms. Kenshin gave Tokio a final glance before following after him.
~~~Inside his office, Dr. Gensai slowly sat down in the faded old chair behind his desk. Motioning for Kenshin to sit down, he leaned forward resting his elbows on the desk.
The moment Kenshin had been hoping to avoid was finely here. Sitting down, Kenshin waited for the Doctor to begin the conversation.
Dr. Gensai cleared his throat and in a low voice asked, "Where do we begin?"
"Why don't we begin by telling me why you agreed to turn the clinic over to me?" Kenshin asked in a low voice. Taking in a deep breath, he waited for Dr. Gensai to speak.
Dr. Gensai rubbed his temples. Leaning back in his chair, he folded his hands together before finely saying, "Dr. Himura, I don't care about your past. All I'm interested in is the future of my granddaughters and this clinic that I've worked so hard to keep running."
Kenshin slowly let out his breath, looked at Dr. Gensai, and waited to see if he had anything more to say.
"I sacrificed everything for this clinic and in the end I lost the most important thing in the world; I lost my family. Last year when I came to Kyoto to visit my granddaughters, I saw how much they love you. I may be a foolish old man and I have no right to ask but I want them to be happy," he paused taking a deep breath before he continued, " I know you are an honorable man and I want your promise to take care of my granddaughters and the clinic then I can relinquish all control."
"I promise that I will take care of them," Kenshin said an uneasy feeling coming over him.
To be continued…