I'm back. I apologize for letting this story get away, it's been like that with the rest of creations too. I've been busy. . . Anyway, I scraped the original second chapter because I wanted to show how close Enishi and Kaoru become as children. I thought it would be more fun to write. Although the beginning of this part is the same the rest is different. So I hope you guys enjoy. I'm working on the next part now so no worries (I hope_

^_^

Wavering Trust

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Part 2

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By Yurameki

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The bright morning sun shone through the window illuminating the room where a small boy slept. His face seemed peaceful in slumber. One would think that he was an innocent, however once he awoke it was a different matter. When the young horror was awake his eyes were narrowed as if ready to attack at any moment. His look was cold and cruel having seen too many horrors in the world.

Lazily he stood looking at his surroundings, wondering where he was. Then it came to him. The girl, Kaoru, had saved him. It was weird for him, to be so trusting but the girl was harmless and after all he owed her his life.

After putting away the futon and getting dressed he walked out of the room peering curiously down the hall. There seemed to be no one home. He walked down the hallway towards the kitchen. There was a small dining area next it. His eyes widened as he spied a steaming bowl of rice and fish on the table. As if on cue his stomach rumbled telling him that he hadn't eaten in a long while. Without a second thought he scampered towards the meager meal and picked up the chopsticks laying next to the bowl. He picked at the fish and took a small bit out of it. His nose wrinkled at the taste. "This tastes bad," he murmured but continued to eat anyway.

He sighed contentedly after having finished his breakfast. His keen hearing could detect footsteps outside the house. Inquisitive, Enishi stepped outside to investigate. Just in front of the gates stood the 8 year old girl, sweeping. He stared at her, studying her. She had a small frown on her face and looked as if she hadn't slept very well. "Hello?" He called out.

Kaoru turned her head sharply to the source of the voice, snapping her out of her trance. She saw the boy she had saved earlier. Smiling brightly at him she walked towards him. "Good morning!" She said cheerfully. "Did you sleep ok, Enishi-kun?"

The boy nodded. "Hai-- Arigato, for letting me stay."

She shook her head vigorously. "No need. Did you eat?"

He nodded again. "Yeah."

Kaoru frowned. "I'm sorry if it was bad, I'm not a very good cook. Okaasan said that when she gets better she'll teach me how to cook properly."

Enishi frowned. "It wasn't that bad," he mumbled inaudibly. "You're okaasan is sick?"

She nodded sadly as her gazed turned towards the ground. "Hai, ever since otousan left she has been getting worse and worse. Demo. . ." Her eyes brightened once again as she looked at him with fierce determination. "Everything will be ok when he comes back! But for now I have to take care of the dojo and okaasan."

The spikey haired boy frowned at her. He admired her courage, although she was young she faith that her father would return. But Enishi, being as he was, knew better. He eyed the girl feeling sorry for her to have to such a huge burden and being so young. He shrugged his shoulders not knowing what to say to her. "I better get going."

A look of panic crossed the girl's face. "Do you really have to?"

The boy nodded as he headed towards the door. "I have to go find my neesan."

She blinked. "Oneesan?" A gasp of awe sounded from her lips. "Wow! You have an older sister! She must be beautiful." Kaoru's eyes sparkled over. "I've always wanted an older sister."

He lifted an eyebrow at her response.

The small girl shook her head. "I'm an only child," she said sadly. "But do you really have to go?" She asked in a small voice.

Enishi sighed feeling a bit sad for the girl however his face remained cold and impassive. His brows furrowed as he contemplated her request. He wanted so badly to see his sister but the insistent nagging of his conscience told him to stay. She had, after all, saved him. Groaning inwardly he realized that he also had a mission to accomplish that would have to be delayed. His boss wasn't going to like it if he found out. "Fine. . ."

"YATTA!" She cried out as she ran over to him and hugged him causing them to tumble over. "Arigato! Enishi-niichan!!"

"Oi! Get off of me!!" The older boy yelled trying to pry her off of him. He wasn't used to this kind of attention and it was making him feel uneasy.

Bright blue eyes shone happily at him as she smiled. "Okaeri nasi!"

He blinked twice taking in the measure of her small gesture. Nervously he replied, "Ta--Tadaima..."

She giggled joyfully before jumping off him and helping him up.

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He stared at her from the entrance of the dojo. His eyes were fixated on her movements. What was she doing?

"Iiya!" She yelled as she swung her bokken. Her yell echoed throughout the room as she continued to swing intensely. Her brow glistened with sweat a visible sign that she was pushing her young body to its limits. She had to get stronger. She had to show her father how strong she was so that he would be proud of her when he returned.

Kaoru concentrated harder not caring that her body screamed for her to stop and rest. The need to perfect the art her father created was too great to listen to the aching need.

"You should take a break," a voice said, breaking her concentration.

She turned her head to see Enishi staring at her leaning against the door frame. "Enishi-niichan."

"You can't push yourself like that," he said emotionlessly.

The little girl shook her head. "Iie, I need to get better."

He shrugged. "What were you doing?"

Kaoru smiled brightly hugging the bokken to her chest. "It's called Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, the sword that protects life without killing."

He cocked an eyebrow. "Without killing. That sounds. . . weird."

She nodded. "It does, but it's something my otousan lived by. He invented it so that he could protect without killing. He taught me some before he left."

"Is that why you're practicing?"

"Hai, I want him to see how strong I have become. I want to make him proud."

He observed her enviously as she talked about her father with such love. He barely remembered his and the memories he did have of him were not pleasant ones.

As if reading his mind she asked, "what about your otousan?"

Glaring at her he turned away. "I don't remember him."

"Oh," she said quietly. Although she was young she knew when to stop such questionings. "Do you want to learn?"

He turned to look at her again, his turquoise eyes searching for an answer. "Nani?"

Smiling brightly she offered him her bokken. "Do you want me to teach you? I don't know much but I could show you something."

He thought for a moment then pushed the bokken away. "No, it's not my style," he said gruffly.

She smiled sadly but nodded. "Ok. Are you hungry?"

Enishi cringed. "Are you cooking?"

"Hai!" She said before running out the door and to prepare a bath then their meal.

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Night fell quickly. After a quick bath Kaoru had rushed to the kitchen in order to prepare the night's supper.

"What are you making?" A voice sounded from the door.

Her lip curled. "Miso soup but. . ."

The young boy walked towards her observing her confusion. "What's wrong?"

She turned her head towards him as he stood next to her, staring into the pot. "I think I did it wrong."

"I don't think it's supposed to be green . . ."

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Seating themselves at the table they began to eat their meal in a comfortable silence.

"Is it good?" Kaoru asked trying to eat the half burnt rice.

Enishi shook his head but said nothing. He concentrated on keeping a straight face and keeping the food down as he took a bite of the tofu.

Finally finished Kaoru began to gather the dishes smiling at Enish all the while. "Thank you for staying. It's lonely here with just me and my okaasan here."

He nodded. "Where is she anyway?" He asked. The dojo was quiet and he had forgotten there was one other person living there.

"She's in her room," she replied in a small voice. "She's too weak to get up sometimes."

His eyes were fixed on her solemn expression. Maybe it would have been a good idea if he said nothing at all. "Oh," was all he could say.

She shook her head vigorously. "It's ok though, she'll get better. You'll see!" She cheered and gave him a bright smile.

His eyes widened at her smiling face and felt his face grow warm. At her curious expression he turned his head sharply away from her.

"Ne, are you ok, Enishi-kun?" She asked peering at his face.

The young boy shook his head. "I'm fine!"

She gave him a confused look then nodded as she walked out with the dishes.

He sighed in relief. What was wrong with him? She made him feel nervous, no one had ever made him feel that was before and he had just met her. Maybe he was getting sick? Narrowing his deep green eyes he shook his head. He was being ridiculous all these petty emotions. He wasn't supposed to be here anyway. He was supposed to be with his sister keeping an eye on her. But no, he wasn't, he was here with that strangely cheerful girl.

With fierce determination he made up his mind. Enishi would leave the next day, without any word. It would be best for them both. His concentration was broken when she walked into the room again, a tray in her hands.

"What are you doing?"

Kaoru struggled with the enormous tray, trying to keep balance. "I need to give okaasan her dinner," she explained from behind the object.

He gulped hoping it wasn't the same dinner that they had just eaten. If her mother was truly ill then he honestly didn't think she would survive the night after eating her cooking.

"Tae-san brings over dinner for her almost everyday," she said as if reading his mind.

"Do you need help?"

Kaoru shook her head as she walked by him watching her steps carefully. "No thank you, I can manage on my own."

"Are you sure--?"

"I said I was fine, didn't I? I'm not useless, you know."

Enishi was taken aback by her small outburst. Maybe she wasn't the polite little girl he thought she was. "You better watch the--"

*SMACK*

". . . wall. . ."

"Itai. . ." She groaned rubbing her behind. "Oh no! It's ruined!"

The boy walked up and knelt beside her picking up the remains of what used to be a bowl. "I told you," he said without the familiar coldness in his voice.

She gave him a quick glare then turned back to the mess. "Now what am I going to do?" Her voice almost broke as if she were about to burst into tears.

Her guest sighed in defeat. "I guess I could make something for her. I mean if she ate what you cooked she'd probably get sicker."

Kaoru's eye twitched at his rude comment. "How do you know yours would be any better?"

He shrugged as he stood up and headed towards the kitchen. "Anyone's cooking would be better than yours."

She watched him walk into the kitchen the urge to hit him with something growing stronger by the minute. Taking in a deep breath to calm herself she turned towards the mess only seeing that it was already gone. He had cleaned it while she was distracted. Curiously she walked to the kitchen.

Taking out a clean pot he began to boil some water. "I don't know how to make anything fancy," he said almost sounding like an apology.

The small girl watched as he cooked her mother's dinner. He wasn't that great but it was better than her cooking. Then a thought occurred to her. "Why didn't you cook our dinner? It would have been better. . ."

He shrugged, not answering her question. The truth was that she looked so content cooking on her own he didn't want to intervene. And honestly he didn't know that her cooking would be as bad as his morning breakfast. "Done."

Kaoru peered over his shoulder. It was a simple meal but it was better than nothing. "Wow! Thank you Enishi-kun!"

Placing his creation on the tray he looked at her. "I'll carry it this time."

She nodded as he lifted the tray and gestured him to follow her.

The room was dark and bare. In the middle lay a small figure, so frail and delicate that it seemed it would brake if one touched it. Enishi's eyes roamed over the poor woman's weakened state as he gently placed the tray next to her.

"Okaasan, this is Enishi-kun," she said in a quiet voice.

The woman's bright blue eyes greeted him as she smiled. "Hello Enishi. I hear my daughter has invited you to stay for awhile," she whispered hoarsely having just woken up.

He nodded.

"Not much for words, huh?"

He nodded again.

The woman let out a silent giggle at his demeanor. "Take good care of here while you're here, ne Enish-kun?"

"Hai, I will," he promised with a slight blush on his face.

Kaoru smiled at him and her mother at his promise. "Ne ne, okaasan, Enishi made you dinner."

"He did?" She asked curiously looking at both children. "Well, I'm sure it'll be delicious."

He blushed again at he praise. So this was what it was like to be praised by a mother? "I think I'll go to bed now. It was nice meeting you Kamiya-san. Oyasumi nasi," he bowed and took his leave.

Mother and daughter replied as they watched him march out of the room. Both wondering why he seemed uneasy.

"He seems nice," her mother commented.

Kaoru looked her and smiled. "He is. He's mean sometimes, but he really is nice."

Closing her eyes her mother sighed. "That's good."

"You better eat, okaasan. You need to get your strength back."

"I'm tired. I'll eat later, I just need a nap."

She looked at her curiously. "Promise you'll eat?"

The mother made noise that sounded suspiciously like a 'yes'.

The young girl's lip trembled but kept her emotions in check. She would not breakdown in front of her. She had to be strong. Yet the sight before her made it difficult. Her mother looked so frail and weak laying there, unmoving. She placed a soft kiss on her forehead, "oyasumi, okaasan."

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He stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. Questioning his motives he turned to his side thinking about the young girl and her mother that were just down the hall. He envied the small girl yet felt sympathy for the trials she would face later in her life. Enishi was no naive child, he knew that one day she would probably end up alone. Life was funny like that. He frowned wondering why it bothered him so much. Why did it disturb him so much? Shrugging the feeling off he willed his body to sleep. Maybe he wouldn't leave just yet.

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I wanted to add cutesy moments too. . . we'll see what happens. Let me know what you guys think! ^_^

Yurameki