Author's Note: I have one thing to declare. I greatly detest my second chapter. Thank you.
Disclaimer: I no own Kenshin. I no know no proper English.
Close Encounters:
"Table for two?" the waitress smiled as a couple entered the restaurant. Tomoe returned the smile and bow, as Battousai nodded.
"Come right this way," the waitress gestured with an outstretched arm and led them through the bustling crowds in the building. Battousai had an uncanny way of keeping people several feet away, so Tomoe walked closely behind him in his circle of open space. Tomoe was able to see all the diners in the morning bustle, but to her dismay, many gave her husband a cautious sidelong look. She knew none of them saw the hidden kindness in his heart, not even her only confidante, 'Aishiteru'. A sudden click interrupted Tomoe's thoughts. Looking up, she saw her husband glaring at the male in the threesome next to the empty table.
"Hajime Saito," Kenshin plainly stated, as Tomoe recognized the name of her loved one's nemesis. The woman next to him must be his wife, and the youngest girl…
"Battousai," Saito announced just as simply, defiantly giving his full attention to his bowl of soup.
"How could you let the two enemies sit together?!" Battousai heard one of the waitresses hiss at another in the restaurant's silence. He heard the recipient whine in fear as the evident tension grew in the deafening silence.
Tomoe bit the inside of her lip, upset over the turn of events. She had only wanted to go out to eat to enjoy a morning before Kenshin had to leave again. Her selfish desire would lead to the destruction of her loved one if she did nothing. She opened her mouth, hoping for calming words to escape.
"Good morning, sir!" a sweet voice popped up in the silence. Tomoe's mouth closed. The innocent voice was not hers.
"Would you care to join us for breakfast? The food is quite delicious here!" the voice continued. This time, Battousai was able to attach a face to that syrupy voice. To his amusement, the face smiled as if he was another ordinary pedestrian as opposed to the assassin he really was.
"Uncle Saito has been kind enough to finally take us out today," the girl continued with great familiarity. Battousai raised an eyebrow questioningly, to which the girl quickly responded, "oh! Forgive me. I am called Aiteru," and she bowed her head, "this is my kind aunt Tokio, and it would seem that you have already met my uncle, Saito."
"Interesting niece," Battousai smirked crookedly as the sword clicked back into place.
"The worst I assure you," Saito answered, looking in his adversary's eyes, the same crooked smile on his face. To this, the girl pouted playfully, muttering, "I resent that, you know."
Kenshin chuckled as he sat at the far end of the table, prudently away from Saito's. Tomoe sat across from him, relieved, like the rest of the restaurant that had returned to its breakfast, that no fighting had erupted between the two.
Tomoe sat perfectly contented across her love, enjoying the hum of soft chatter and the clatter of food utensils. As her meal arrived, she happily picked her chopsticks up when she heard a drift of words float her way.
"Auntie, Uncle, I must leave again tonight. I might not return for a few months," the girl murmured, interrupting Saito's wonder at the flicker of violet he could have sworn he had seen before Battousai sat down at his table.
"But you just got here last night!" Tokio protested, Saito held a hand up to silence her and allow for the girl to continue.
"I am truly sorry. But family calls from afar," she answered. "Thank you for your hospitality, I will be returning as soon as I can. Please forgive me," the girl said as she stood and bowed deeply.
"Should I send someone with you?" Saito asked.
"No need," she smiled, "I can take care of myself. I must prepare to leave now, please excuse me."
The girl turned to leave, but saw Battousai's amber eyes watching her. She smiled and bowed to the two of them. "It was a pleasure to meet you," she smiled sweetly, glancing at Tomoe, who nodded in understanding.
Battousai heard Tomoe sigh, but quickly pushed it out of his thoughts. He watched the girl pay for the meal and disappear out the doorway. "Why would such a girl need protection to see family? Has the war truly turned so horribly?"
Battousai turned back to look at his beautiful wife, but couldn't push the final, not wholly loyal, thoughts that invaded his mind…
Author's Note:
I have finally got my thoughts sort out. Just to clear things, (now that I'm not on the usual sugar high) the original intention of 'Hitokiri Tenshi' was for background, but due to the gracious input of reviewers, I came across a better idea, to which I wish to implement. But I still need/want to write 'Hitokiri Tenshi' for its original purpose. So now, this fic has a dual purpose.
About this fic: Interchanging use of Battousai vs. Kenshin is used to denote character. Kenshin did NOT have dirty thoughts; just so you, selected few, perverted readers know.
Please review! I'm sorry, I have written in a while. I had a major writer's block. -_-' Keep me inspired! Your input actually helps make my minimal writer grow into something a bit better! As my cousin says, "Until next we meet!" ^_~