Disclaimer: Wow, but I get sick of writing that I don't own these characters. Do I have to do this every chapter? Methinks that next time I will post a big one right at the beginning that encompasses the entire story. *Nods as if that was the best idea since sliced bread*
Notes: Here's a rather short chapter. I hope you all like it.
The Path of the Sword
5. The Akabeko
They survived the first three months. Kenshin stopped getting sick every day, Kaoru got the hang of walking, talking, and just being a man when she was around other people, and their friends no longer found it so disconcerting to see them in their opposite-gendered conditions.
According to Megumi, the baby was developing normally, which was a relief to all involved. Kenshin still was not showing any outward signs of the pregnancy, but that, too, Megumi told them was normal.
And Tae finally got to meet the mysterious Kamiya Kouri.
"I don't know about this."
Kaoru was not working until the evening shift, so she was treating the group to lunch at the Akabeko. Actually, it was on the house. Tae had insisted, so long as 'Kamiya-san' brought his wife along. While Kaoru had grown accustomed to acting properly in town, Kenshin was feeling a bit apprehensive.
"Do I have to wear the kimono?" he asked unhappily.
"People will get suspicious if you walk around town in men's clothing," Kaoru explained, holding up a kimono she had purchased with her new spending money. It was a beautiful thing, the silk of deep purple with white butterflies and flowers decorating the sleeves and hem-line. The obi, which was a contrasting blue, Kaoru skillfully tied around his waist.
Kenshin blinked at himself when she pushed him in front of the mirror.
"Oro," he murmured dumbly.
"You're beautiful, Kouri," Kaoru winked.
Kenshin blushed and glared at her reflection. He stood rigidly as she swept his hair up into a ponytail and tied it off with a blue ribbon that matched the obi. Kaoru stood back, straightening her own clothes and hair while Kenshin stared at himself in the mirror.
"I'll never pull this off," he announced.
"Who do you think you're fooling?" Kaoru grinned. Kenshin's blush deepened. "Sanosuke, you can come in now!"
Kenshin turned with a gasp, staring wide-eyed at Kaoru.
"You mean Sano's coming too?" he blurted.
Sure enough, the shoji snapped open, and Sanosuke walked into the room. He grinned at Kaoru, then caught sight of Kenshin. The former fighter-for-hire whistled loudly.
"Looking good, Kenshin," he laughed.
Kenshin glared at them with an 'I-hate-you-all' expression on his face. Kaoru and Sanosuke both went forward to guide the disgruntled rurouni out of the room.
"That death glare isn't worth much on a face as pretty as yours, Kouri," Sanosuke snickered.
"Who chose that name, anyway?" Kenshin grumbled.
"Yahiko." Kenshin scowled, unable to say anything in response to that.
"And what should I call Kaoru?" he demanded. "Surely people will be suspicious if her supposed cousin has the same name."
"You'll call me Anata, of course," Kaoru kissed his cheek quickly before they walked out onto the street. "And Sanosuke will be there to help make sure you don't screw up."
"Remember the rules, Kouri?" Sanosuke asked, suddenly serious.
"Hai, hai," Kenshin sighed. "No using 'oro' 'dono' 'de gozaru' 'sessha'-"
"I still want you to stop using that sessha," Kaoru growled. "Why do you insist on calling yourself that?"
"Because I have an inferiority complex that'll last until I feel I have repented for all my sins," Kenshin rattled off automatically. "That, and twelve years of calling myself sessha makes a habit that is very hard to break."
Kaoru and Sanosuke rolled their eyes but let it pass.
"The other rules?" Kaoru prompted.
"Um... kneel on a cushion so I don't flash the room," Kenshin said, thinking of all the things he had to do now that he was a woman. "Don't greet anyone I know in town because I'm not supposed to know them... ano..." he flushed in mixed irritation and embarrassment. "No complaining about not having my sakabatou."
"I think that's it," Kaoru patted Kenshin's shoulder. "Sanosuke?"
"No flirting with the guys, Kouri," Sanosuke added, winking lightly. "You're a married woman."
Kaoru snorted, biting her lip and covering her mouth to prevent laughing aloud. Kenshin glared at Sanosuke.
"I am going to hurt you," he announced.
"Just as long as you be feminine about it," Sanosuke tugged Kenshin's ponytail gently.
Kenshin swatted at Sanosuke and ended up tripping over the kimono. Kaoru caught him before he could fall face-first to the dirt.
"Careful!" she rebuked. "That's a brand new kimono. I'm not coughing up anymore money for you if you tear up what I get the first time you use it."
"I'll get you two for this," Kenshin grumbled, letting Kaoru help him along until he regained his balance. "When I get my body back, you two are in for some big-time payback."
Kaoru and Sanosuke enjoyed a bout of laughter at Kenshin's expense.
^_^
Tae was as cheerful as ever when she greeted the trio, happily introducing herself to 'Kouri.' Kenshin just hoped he did not come off as a snob in his apprehensive responses.
They had beef hot pot, tea, and sake. Kenshin, of course, did not drink the sake. He had to keep the baby's health in mind, after all. Tae sat beside them, beaming with pleasure.
"I'm just so pleased that you have Sanosuke-san and Yahiko-kun around to help you two get adjusted in our city," she said sincerely. "And I'm glad that you're well enough now to finally come visit us, Kouri-san."
"So am I," Kenshin replied demurely, much to the amusement of Kaoru and Sanosuke. As was to be expected, he skillfully manipulated the conversation to a safe subject. "My husband has told me so much about you, Tae-san. He said you have a relative in Kyoto who owns a restaurant like this one."
"That's the Shirobeko," Tae nodded, smiling happily. "It's run by my sister, Sae..."
And so the evening went. Their hot pot came, and Kenshin surprised the group by eating with a hearty appetite. At their curious stares, he just shrugged and smiled innocently.
"I must say, Kamiya-san," Tae shook her head in amazement. "You and Kaoru have similar tastes in friends and spouses."
Kenshin nearly spilled his tea, and he looked at Tae in shock. Kaoru smiled, much too broadly.
"What makes you say that, Tae-san?" she asked.
"Well, you seem to get along well with Sanosuke-san and Yahiko-kun," Tae blushed. Her observation had been a little too forward, but she continued anyway. "And Kouri-san looks a lot like Kenshin." She brightened then, turning to look at Kenshin. "Have you met Kenshin?"
Sanosuke raised his eyebrows, but no one noticed his amused expression. Kaoru was watching Kenshin anxiously, wondering what he would say. And Kenshin... he smiled a smile that dazzled the others.
"Of course I've met Kenshin," he said lightly. "He's a charming man. Handsome and polite and patient. Kaoru got herself quite a catch with him-"
Sanosuke snorted and burst out laughing, unable to stop it. Kaoru covered her face with both hands, wishing herself somewhere else. Kenshin just continued to smile, nodding in agreement when Tae murmured a soft, "oh my."
The night went smoothly after that. Eventually Kaoru had to excuse herself and headed off to work. She made certain before she left that Kenshin would not be walking back to the dojo alone. Sanosuke was along expressly for that reason. He just patted Kenshin's shoulder and said they'd be fine. Kenshin's smile had grown a bit strained at that, but he nodded as well.
After saying good-bye to Tae, Kenshin and Sanosuke left, relieved and in good spirits.
Notes: Sadly, very short. Kenshin is a bit forward in this chapter, but I thought it turned out okay. Chapter six: Sano and Kenshin run into a bit of trouble on the way home. What is Rurouni Kenshin without a bit of conflict?