Hello one and all! My mother is getting mad at me for always sitting in
front of the computer and typing this. ^_^ I don't know how to explain
away typing fanfics. Oh, well. Shall we continue?
(revised for tenses...but not much. I'm getting the hang of it....)
..................
DAY TWO
Kenshin woke up, still worried. He was not able to sleep well. What was he supposed to do next?!
This much he knew, though. That Tuesday, October 2, Chief Uramura came by the dojo. He had asked-----begged is a better word-----that Kenshin be the chief bodyguard for the American ambassador. He had agreed without question. He was not required to draw a sword. All that was asked of him was to use his superior eyes and ears, and to ensure the ambassador's safety during the parade. The chief told him that he was just being used as a deterrent and a precaution. They didn't really expect any trouble from any group.
But now he saw what he did not see before. The job took him out of the dojo the day before the parade, for the whole day. Then, during the parade itself, Kenshin would see his friends only once. And when he did see them, they were too far away for him to protect personally.
Saitou could do this job as well as I can, Kenshin mused. He has the same sword skills and instincts as I do, doesn't he? Why can't he do it?
"But Saitou-san doesn't have your concern for people, Kenshin!" his guardian angel interjected. "If you were to stay beside me during the parade, and Saitou be the chief bodyguard, there is a pretty good chance that the Ambassador will die. Now that is a scarier problem, don't you think, Kenshin?"
Point well taken, Kaoru-dono, Kenshin replied to his angel.
But what do I do now?
"Get your breakfast, Kenshin!" Kaoru called from the kitchen.
Breakfast. Good. I'll start with that, Kenshin decided. I can worry later.
Despite all the horrible things that could be said about Kaoru's cooking, she cooked sunny-side eggs decently. It's her scrambled eggs that leave something to be desired. Thus, the three tenants of the Kamiya dojo ate quite happily.
But Kaoru was a little bit concerned about Kenshin.
"My poor Kenshin," she crooned, "you didn't sleep well last night, I see. Tell us, what's bothering you?"
Kenshin did not know exactly what to reply, so he kept quiet and looked intently at his eggs.
"About Sano? The dojo? Is it about me?"
You have NO idea how much it's about you, Kaoru-dono, Kenshin replied in his head. Both of you, the you in front of me and the you appearing to me at night. I want to keep you here, on earth, with me, cooking sunny-side eggs once in a while, quietly interrogating me....
"Kenshin, you haven't answered me!" Kaoru warned with mock impatience.
"Oh!" and he smiled. "It's nothing. The faucet was leaking last night, I think, and it kept me up."
"Really? I'll take a look at it after breakfast. Now eat up, will you!" With that, Kaoru plopped another egg over his bowl of rice.
After breakfast, unable to think of anything else to do except worry, he walked slowly inside the practice area. He let himself drop to the floor, leaned on the wall, and sat where he sat dejected and alone, hours after the murder.
He looked around. He remembered.
*******
The body was placed in the opposite room, my room. They covered it in a white sheet. Kaoru-dono lay peacefully, as if in sleep. An eternal sleep.
Over at that corner to the right, Yahiko tried to hold back his tears. Not for himself, but more for me, I know. He wanted to keep a brave face, like it would help keep a brave face in me. Here beside me, Sanosuke kept talking and talking. He sometimes even shook me hard. I didn't care then what he did to me. I didn't care about anything.
Here, too, Daigoro came. He pushed me to the wall, told me about a time machine. I didn't have the slightest idea what a time machine was. I didn't care. I was desperate. I wanted my Kaoru back. If I had to climb to Heaven or go down to Hell to do it, I would. Going back in time was about as fantastic as those two notions, so I asked.
But he said chances were high that it would not work. What was the use, then? So I fell again to the depths of despair. I was not going to have you back, Kaoru.
Then you came, sometime in the night, that terrible night. You got my hope back, you restored my desire to live. You told me to do what Daigoro wanted, so I did. He got me here. But what now, Kaoru? What now?
Thank you for the blanket, Kaoru-dono. For a guardian angel, you feel much too warm, wrapping your arms around me as you wrapped the blanket, like in the old days. I can feel your gentle breath close to mine. Are you also actually stroking my messy hair? I'm not sure anymore if I'm asleep or I'm awake. Maybe I'm somewhere in between. What does it matter.
You are here with me. And I promise you, I'll keep it that way.
*********
"Kenshin, wake up, Kenshin," Kaoru shook him gently. "You've slept past lunch already, and the chief is here to see you. Maa, how can you stay here? It's much too cool here for anything other than kendo practice!"
Kenshin gave a yawn, rubbed his eyes, and looked at his clothes if they were still presentable to the chief. He found himself lying on the floor. And he realized that the floor of the practice area was cool to the touch. Then he felt something warm surrounding him. It was one of Kaoru's blankets.
Yes, if it weren't for Megumi ----and that Kaoru---- coming over that night, he could have died in the dojo, shivering without a blanket, from the cold of the night and the chill in his heart.
"Thank you, Kaoru-dono, and thank you for the blanket. Let's go see the chief."
Chief Uramura had patiently waited for him in the living room. Upon seeing him, Kenshin paled considerably. This scene again. It was happening again. Should he say yes, or should he say no?
"Something wrong, Kenshin? You look pale." Kaoru asked in concern.
"N-n-nothing, Kaoru-dono. What brings you here before us, Uramura-dono?"
"Let me get straight to the point," the chief began. "As you probably know, the American ambassador will make a tour of Tokyo this week, and this will be concluded by a parade through the city. This of course will require heightened security for the ambassador.."
Kenshin nodded nervously.
"Unfortunately, the police force will have its hands tied in controlling the populace during the parade. Not one single officer could be spared to personally protect the ambassador. Therefore, we are asking if YOU, sir, could be such a guard to the ambassador."
"Are you absolutely sure that there is no one in the police force that could do it, Uramura-dono? Not even Inspector Fujita?" Kenshin asked, crossing his fingers, wishing that the chief had an answer.
"Inspector Fujita will be working undercover that day. Right now, he's making sure that all possible militant groups are kept at bay during the parade."
Oh, well, Kenshin sighed to himself. That's what Saitou does best, anyway.
"If you are concerned, Himura-san, we are not asking you to draw your sword. We only want you to be ready to keep him safe from anything that might harm him. We know that you have the fastest eyes, keenest ears, and quickest reflexes in all of Tokyo, so we are asking if you could lend your expertise to us, just for one week. For the most part, you'll just be there to scare off anyone who tries to even get close to the Ambassador. I seriously doubt if you will do any fighting that day, and it would be better if we don't encounter any trouble."
"But...but...what about Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin dared to ask the chief.
"If you so desire, Himura-san, we could have your friends placed at the front, so they can have the best view of you and the parade. It's not like they could be killed, right? Any assassins would target the ambassador, Himura-san."
"You don't know who Kaoru-dono is, Uramura-dono, and what she can do in a desperate situation," Kenshin replied bitterly.
"What do you mean, Kenshin?" Even Kaoru did not understand. "Anyway, I don't see anything wrong to your accepting his offer." She turned greedily to the chief. "How much does he get out of this, if he accepts?"
"A month's wages, my dear." the chief promised. "Being a bodyguard IS dangerous work, you realize, of course."
No, Kaoru did not realize. But she thought of many ways a month's wages could be spent for food, improving the dojo, and some new clothes....
"So agree already, Kenshin!" she prodded.
"Well, you see, Kaoru-dono...." Kenshin faltered and stalled. What if it still happens? What if I can't protect you?
"Everything will work out, Kenshin," his guardian angel reassured him. "More things can go wrong if you don't agree."
The voices of the person and the angel merged into one.
"Say yes, Kenshin!"
"Are you sure about this, Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked one last time ---- to both of them.
"Yes, I'm sure. Nothing will go wrong, Kenshin. Tell the chief you accept."
He lowered his head in desperation. Kami-sama wills it. And Kaoru-dono wants it.
"Alright, Uramura-dono. I accept."
"The people of Japan will forever be grateful to you," the chief graciously responded.
Never mind the people of Japan, Kenshin angrily thought. I've worked for the people of Japan for too long in my life! What about Kaoru-dono? What will happen to HER?!
The Kaoru in front of him took his hand and patted it. "Don't you worry, Kenshin. I'll always be here for you. Nothing will happen on Sunday."
I surely hope so, Kenshin replied in his confused mind. For your sake, Kaoru-dono.
..................
OK, I'm going to bed now. I hope you like it so far. By the way, when I say "guardian angel", it's the Kaoru up in heaven. Life is beautiful for me, so I can't do angst very well either. ^_^ Give me pointers so I could get better. Thanks to all the readers and reviewers! Until next time!
(revised for tenses...but not much. I'm getting the hang of it....)
..................
DAY TWO
Kenshin woke up, still worried. He was not able to sleep well. What was he supposed to do next?!
This much he knew, though. That Tuesday, October 2, Chief Uramura came by the dojo. He had asked-----begged is a better word-----that Kenshin be the chief bodyguard for the American ambassador. He had agreed without question. He was not required to draw a sword. All that was asked of him was to use his superior eyes and ears, and to ensure the ambassador's safety during the parade. The chief told him that he was just being used as a deterrent and a precaution. They didn't really expect any trouble from any group.
But now he saw what he did not see before. The job took him out of the dojo the day before the parade, for the whole day. Then, during the parade itself, Kenshin would see his friends only once. And when he did see them, they were too far away for him to protect personally.
Saitou could do this job as well as I can, Kenshin mused. He has the same sword skills and instincts as I do, doesn't he? Why can't he do it?
"But Saitou-san doesn't have your concern for people, Kenshin!" his guardian angel interjected. "If you were to stay beside me during the parade, and Saitou be the chief bodyguard, there is a pretty good chance that the Ambassador will die. Now that is a scarier problem, don't you think, Kenshin?"
Point well taken, Kaoru-dono, Kenshin replied to his angel.
But what do I do now?
"Get your breakfast, Kenshin!" Kaoru called from the kitchen.
Breakfast. Good. I'll start with that, Kenshin decided. I can worry later.
Despite all the horrible things that could be said about Kaoru's cooking, she cooked sunny-side eggs decently. It's her scrambled eggs that leave something to be desired. Thus, the three tenants of the Kamiya dojo ate quite happily.
But Kaoru was a little bit concerned about Kenshin.
"My poor Kenshin," she crooned, "you didn't sleep well last night, I see. Tell us, what's bothering you?"
Kenshin did not know exactly what to reply, so he kept quiet and looked intently at his eggs.
"About Sano? The dojo? Is it about me?"
You have NO idea how much it's about you, Kaoru-dono, Kenshin replied in his head. Both of you, the you in front of me and the you appearing to me at night. I want to keep you here, on earth, with me, cooking sunny-side eggs once in a while, quietly interrogating me....
"Kenshin, you haven't answered me!" Kaoru warned with mock impatience.
"Oh!" and he smiled. "It's nothing. The faucet was leaking last night, I think, and it kept me up."
"Really? I'll take a look at it after breakfast. Now eat up, will you!" With that, Kaoru plopped another egg over his bowl of rice.
After breakfast, unable to think of anything else to do except worry, he walked slowly inside the practice area. He let himself drop to the floor, leaned on the wall, and sat where he sat dejected and alone, hours after the murder.
He looked around. He remembered.
*******
The body was placed in the opposite room, my room. They covered it in a white sheet. Kaoru-dono lay peacefully, as if in sleep. An eternal sleep.
Over at that corner to the right, Yahiko tried to hold back his tears. Not for himself, but more for me, I know. He wanted to keep a brave face, like it would help keep a brave face in me. Here beside me, Sanosuke kept talking and talking. He sometimes even shook me hard. I didn't care then what he did to me. I didn't care about anything.
Here, too, Daigoro came. He pushed me to the wall, told me about a time machine. I didn't have the slightest idea what a time machine was. I didn't care. I was desperate. I wanted my Kaoru back. If I had to climb to Heaven or go down to Hell to do it, I would. Going back in time was about as fantastic as those two notions, so I asked.
But he said chances were high that it would not work. What was the use, then? So I fell again to the depths of despair. I was not going to have you back, Kaoru.
Then you came, sometime in the night, that terrible night. You got my hope back, you restored my desire to live. You told me to do what Daigoro wanted, so I did. He got me here. But what now, Kaoru? What now?
Thank you for the blanket, Kaoru-dono. For a guardian angel, you feel much too warm, wrapping your arms around me as you wrapped the blanket, like in the old days. I can feel your gentle breath close to mine. Are you also actually stroking my messy hair? I'm not sure anymore if I'm asleep or I'm awake. Maybe I'm somewhere in between. What does it matter.
You are here with me. And I promise you, I'll keep it that way.
*********
"Kenshin, wake up, Kenshin," Kaoru shook him gently. "You've slept past lunch already, and the chief is here to see you. Maa, how can you stay here? It's much too cool here for anything other than kendo practice!"
Kenshin gave a yawn, rubbed his eyes, and looked at his clothes if they were still presentable to the chief. He found himself lying on the floor. And he realized that the floor of the practice area was cool to the touch. Then he felt something warm surrounding him. It was one of Kaoru's blankets.
Yes, if it weren't for Megumi ----and that Kaoru---- coming over that night, he could have died in the dojo, shivering without a blanket, from the cold of the night and the chill in his heart.
"Thank you, Kaoru-dono, and thank you for the blanket. Let's go see the chief."
Chief Uramura had patiently waited for him in the living room. Upon seeing him, Kenshin paled considerably. This scene again. It was happening again. Should he say yes, or should he say no?
"Something wrong, Kenshin? You look pale." Kaoru asked in concern.
"N-n-nothing, Kaoru-dono. What brings you here before us, Uramura-dono?"
"Let me get straight to the point," the chief began. "As you probably know, the American ambassador will make a tour of Tokyo this week, and this will be concluded by a parade through the city. This of course will require heightened security for the ambassador.."
Kenshin nodded nervously.
"Unfortunately, the police force will have its hands tied in controlling the populace during the parade. Not one single officer could be spared to personally protect the ambassador. Therefore, we are asking if YOU, sir, could be such a guard to the ambassador."
"Are you absolutely sure that there is no one in the police force that could do it, Uramura-dono? Not even Inspector Fujita?" Kenshin asked, crossing his fingers, wishing that the chief had an answer.
"Inspector Fujita will be working undercover that day. Right now, he's making sure that all possible militant groups are kept at bay during the parade."
Oh, well, Kenshin sighed to himself. That's what Saitou does best, anyway.
"If you are concerned, Himura-san, we are not asking you to draw your sword. We only want you to be ready to keep him safe from anything that might harm him. We know that you have the fastest eyes, keenest ears, and quickest reflexes in all of Tokyo, so we are asking if you could lend your expertise to us, just for one week. For the most part, you'll just be there to scare off anyone who tries to even get close to the Ambassador. I seriously doubt if you will do any fighting that day, and it would be better if we don't encounter any trouble."
"But...but...what about Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin dared to ask the chief.
"If you so desire, Himura-san, we could have your friends placed at the front, so they can have the best view of you and the parade. It's not like they could be killed, right? Any assassins would target the ambassador, Himura-san."
"You don't know who Kaoru-dono is, Uramura-dono, and what she can do in a desperate situation," Kenshin replied bitterly.
"What do you mean, Kenshin?" Even Kaoru did not understand. "Anyway, I don't see anything wrong to your accepting his offer." She turned greedily to the chief. "How much does he get out of this, if he accepts?"
"A month's wages, my dear." the chief promised. "Being a bodyguard IS dangerous work, you realize, of course."
No, Kaoru did not realize. But she thought of many ways a month's wages could be spent for food, improving the dojo, and some new clothes....
"So agree already, Kenshin!" she prodded.
"Well, you see, Kaoru-dono...." Kenshin faltered and stalled. What if it still happens? What if I can't protect you?
"Everything will work out, Kenshin," his guardian angel reassured him. "More things can go wrong if you don't agree."
The voices of the person and the angel merged into one.
"Say yes, Kenshin!"
"Are you sure about this, Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked one last time ---- to both of them.
"Yes, I'm sure. Nothing will go wrong, Kenshin. Tell the chief you accept."
He lowered his head in desperation. Kami-sama wills it. And Kaoru-dono wants it.
"Alright, Uramura-dono. I accept."
"The people of Japan will forever be grateful to you," the chief graciously responded.
Never mind the people of Japan, Kenshin angrily thought. I've worked for the people of Japan for too long in my life! What about Kaoru-dono? What will happen to HER?!
The Kaoru in front of him took his hand and patted it. "Don't you worry, Kenshin. I'll always be here for you. Nothing will happen on Sunday."
I surely hope so, Kenshin replied in his confused mind. For your sake, Kaoru-dono.
..................
OK, I'm going to bed now. I hope you like it so far. By the way, when I say "guardian angel", it's the Kaoru up in heaven. Life is beautiful for me, so I can't do angst very well either. ^_^ Give me pointers so I could get better. Thanks to all the readers and reviewers! Until next time!