Hey all! Just re-read chapter 3 and found some holes in it so I'm going to put up chapter 4 rather quickly. Don't like to leave loose ends for too long. Anyway, so here's the next installment! Hope you like!
Disclaimer: Belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki, Sony, Jump, etc., etc. All I know is I'm not included in the list. Darn shame too. If it were up to me, the animators and voice actors would be in a studio right now finishing up the way it was intended to end. (And romance would be included in abundance! WOOHOO!!)
The Reunion
Chapter 4: Enter New 'Victims'
Akino fiddled with her sleeves. Kaoru had said earlier that Kenshin hid himself from the others. The question in Akino's mind was 'how?' She intended to speak to Kaoru about it and hopefully get those two on the right track.
Yahiko came sliding around the corner, Kaoru right on his heels. Akino looked up in surprise as the two ran circles around her. "Yahiko, you get back here brat! I let it slide earlier, but I will NOT let you call me 'busu' twice and get away with it!"
She finally caught him, whacked him on the head, and sent him out to clean the dojo floor. She settled herself across from Akino and took a moment to catch her breath. "That brat will be the death of me. So stubborn and disrespectful."
"He does it just to tease you, dear. If it didn't get a rise out of you, he wouldn't have any fun doing it." Akino winked at Kaoru and she nodded.
"I know that. It's just so hard to let it go. I don't like being called 'busu', or 'ugly', or 'hag.'" Kaoru frowned, thinking about all the names that he'd called her in the past.
Akino nodded in understanding and then felt her son's presence again. I have GOT to speak to that boy about eavesdropping. He's terrible about it. Like father like son.
"Kaoru, you don't need to be so insecure about those things. Yahiko only says it to start a fight. He sees the fights as a game. He doesn't mean any of the hurtful words he says." She leaned over to give Kaoru's hand a squeeze. "Now, dear. I had a question I wanted to ask you. You said earlier that Shinta hides himself from the rest of you. How so?"
Kaoru took a deep breath to collect her thoughts. "Well, he always has that smile plastered on his face. That fake smile to make everyone think everything is all right. I've seen him smile truthfully, but it's only happened a few times. And the only things we know of his past is when he was found by his master, left to fight in the war, and Tomoe. He doesn't really speak of any details. And I know he feels that he needs to keep this façade up to protect us. But, that's just ridiculous! Kenshin is Kenshin. Whether he's the Battousai or the rurouni. We're his friends and I know he wouldn't willingly harm us. I just want him to feel comfortable here. I want him to know he can let go and be whoever he really is and we'll still accept him and care for him as we do now. There's so much sadness in his eyes and I want to help him deal with it. The longer he holds it in, the more it will hurt him. He has to let go at some point."
Akino nodded when Kaoru finished speaking. "Have you said any of this to Shinta?"
"No. I don't know how to approach it. I can't very well go up and say, 'Hey, Kenshin! Guess what? Stop faking and be your real self.'" She turned a pitiful look to Akino and the older woman giggled.
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Kenshin chewed his bottom lip thoughtfully. Kaoru's words were ones he needed to hear, but he wouldn't allow himself to agree with them. I didn't know Kaoru-dono felt that way. I certainly didn't mean to upset her, but she shouldn't have to deal with what I've had to go through. I want her to stay the pure, innocent person we all know now. I won't taint that. He nodded his head in finality and strode off to finish his chores.
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Kaoru stood in the kitchen with Akino the day before the party. She'd been taking cooking lessons for the past week and was determined to cook something for the party. It didn't have to be anything huge, just some accomplishment that the guys would have to admit was pretty darn good.
"Okay, so we need to add…" Kaoru tapped her finger to her lips, thinking. Akino was sitting at the table, drinking tea and merely supervising. Kaoru turned to Akino for guidance.
"I told you, child. If you don't do it yourself, you'll never learn."
"But, Okaasan! I don't remember what's next!"
"Just think about it. What would logically go in next?"
Kaoru looked at all the spices set on the counter. She was attempting to make some sort of sweet cake Akino had in Yokohama once. "Ah-hah! It's cinnamon, right?"
Akino nodded once. "I told you. Just think and you'll figure it out."
Kaoru smiled happily as she added the cinnamon.
"Hey, Himura! Kaoru! Rooster-head! Yahiko! Anyone home?"
Kaoru almost dropped the jar of cinnamon. "Oh my goodness! Misao!" She raced for the gate and saw Misao giving a bear hug to Kenshin.
Misao dropped the near suffocated man on the ground to give Kaoru the same treatment. "Kaoru! I'm so happy to see you!" She released the young woman and gave her a moment to catch her breath. "Sorry, but the only ones who could attend are Aoshi-sama and myself. The others had to stay and take care of the Aoiya."
Kaoru frowned. "Oh, they'll miss my cooking debut." She gave a pout and Misao let out a small, embarrassed cough, unwilling to tell the assistant master her cooking stunk.
But, Kaoru being no fool, caught on. "Now look here, Misao! I've been taking lessons!"
The young ninja put up her hands in surrender. "I didn't say a word, Kaoru! I'm sure it will be lovely. Now, why are we having a party, exactly?"
Akino came from the kitchen and Aoshi and Misao turned their eyes to her. Aoshi noticed her eye color and his own eyes widened the slightest. Could it really be his mother? The thought of Kenshin having a mother was no surprise, everyone had to come from somewhere. But, Aoshi certainly never expected she was still alive, much less meet her.
Kenshin smiled happily at the two new arrivals. "Aoshi-san, Misao-dono, this is my mother, Akino. Okaasan, this is Misao Makimachi and Aoshi Shinomori."
Misao and Aoshi bowed to the elder woman and she returned the gesture. "It's nice to meet you, Akino-san."
Akino waved a hand in dismissal. "Now, now Misao. No need to be formal. I rather prefer being called Okaasan. I don't like all the cold, impersonal, formal addresses."
Suddenly, Kaoru remembered her cake and went running inside. "Oh, my cake better not be burning!"
Akino rushed after her. "Silly girl! It takes 45 minutes to cook!"
Misao giggled at the sight and trotted after them. "See you guys, later!"
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After taking tea to Aoshi and Kenshin, Misao sat in the kitchen chatting with Kaoru and Akino. And much to Akino's delight, Kaoru brought up the subject of Aoshi.
"So, Misao, how are things developing with Aoshi?"
The petite woman let out a sigh and began to look dejected. "There's nothing to develop. I take him tea. We talk for a few minutes. Well, I talk and he listens. Then, I leave and that's it until the next day. He spends more time in the Aoiya now, but it's always with Jiya or paperwork. Never just to be with the others. And I haven't seen him train since he came back. I know he does, but never in our facilities. He's back, but not the same person he once was. He keeps his distance, not willing to really be a part of it all again."
Kaoru looked down into her tea. "He's a baka. Kenshin's a baka." Kaoru remembered the other person in the room and looked up, stuttering. "W-what I mean, was…I'm sorry…I didn't mean…"
Akino put up a hand to silence her, a smile on her face, when Megumi burst threw the door. "That idiot, rooster! He can't stay out of trouble for one day! That's all I ask for! One day where he doesn't need medical treatment and can just come by the clinic to visit!" Her hand flew to her mouth when she realized what she just said.
Misao and Kaoru's eyes grew wide and round. Misao spoke first. "Do you realize you just admitted you have SOME feelings for Sanosuke?"
Megumi got ready to protest, but Akino chimed in. "Now, girls. I know you all are in love with those three men. However, men are dense and need to be whacked upside the head sometimes. Believe me, Kenshin's father was the same way. And just your luck, the men you three have chosen are more thickheaded than most. But, I can help, if you are willing to cooperate and do as I say."
The three young women glanced at each other and agreed silently. They turned to Akino with determination on their faces. Megumi looked Akino in the eyes. "What do we do first?"
"Well, dear. You don't have as much to worry about. Your guy is ready and willing, you just need to coax it out of him. These other two young ladies, have men who I believe really do love them, but won't allow themselves to feel or show it. They'll need to do
some work."
Kaoru and Misao turned worried glances to each other and Megumi caught it. "Didn't you two numbskulls listen? They love you. You just need to make them see it."
Misao's expression turned devilish while Kaoru looked slightly panicked.
Misao grinned. "I'm ready. If it'll help me get Aoshi-sama, just tell me what to do."
Kaoru gulped. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Akino grinned at the three. "Good. Let's get to work. Oh, and Kaoru. I think your cake's burning."
"Mou! Can nothing ever turn out right?!" She jumped up to save her cake while the other women laughed.
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A/N: Not a long chapter, but I just wanted to finish my set-up. Yes, a four chapter set up. Wow. Anyway, the fun's a-comin'! Just wait for the next chapter. If it comes out the way it plays in my head, it'll be fun to read. Hope you liked and please review! They make me so happy! Nothing encourages a writer like reviews! Hugs & Kisses!