Hi guys! Review responses, as promised. Specifics are at the end.
First of all, some of you have been asking, reminding, or commenting about the "Kaoru-dono". As I've said in earlier chapters, I know what I'm doing. For some reason only Watsuki knows, Kenshin still called her as such even after they got married.
Second. Please, have mercy on this unworthy writer, that she is. ^_^ I have seen Rurouni Kenshin in Japanese (subtitled), and I'm pretty sure he used "-dono" for almost everybody, male or female. I really hope someone can back me up on this.
Third, I'm still not sure at this stage how much of hell with Kaoru give to Kenshin, but I think she WILL give him a hard time.
Usual disclaimer: Sessha does not own RK, and sessha is not plagiarizing, de gozaru. As much as sessha would like to own Kenshin, Kaoru-dono owns him first, de gozaru. ^_^x
All of that rap about the "-dono" gave me the idea for this chapter, one I had not originally planned. Sorry for the long read. ^^x
(reformatted)
…………………………………………
"A-a-anou, Kaoru-dono………."
"Could you PLEASE quit with the Kaoru-dono, anata! You, sir, are getting on my nerves!"
"Sessha cannot help calling his wife Kaoru-dono, no matter how hard sessha tries, de gozaru. Sessha has been calling her that for over a year, and it will be hard to call her otherwise, de gozaru."
Of all the subjects the couple could fight about at six o'clock in the morning, Kaoru decided to pick a fight about honorific titles. Especially in relation to herself. Kaoru's stomach was still churning from a vomiting spell just ten minutes ago, and she was rather annoyed. Kenshin, sweet husband that he tried to be, greeted her with an "Ohayo, Kaoru-dono!" No, it was not a good morning for Kaoru—and why was her husband insistent on calling her Kaoru-dono, like he was still a boarder?
"Mou, Kenshin, can't you at least try? Koishii, koibito, kimi, honey, sweetheart, sweetiepie, cupcake, dear, my love, la amour, la bonita, plain and simple Kaoru, ANYTHING but THAT! I am more than your landlady now!"
"My dear Kaoru----------dono," Kenshin earnestly made an effort to stop himself from adding the -dono, but failed miserably.
He lowered his head in defeat. "See, I told you I can't do it. Calling you just Kaoru makes me remember…….things……….about us, about the past……….about that night with the fireflies……….the Aoiya………Enishi………and……….and………..when I lost you…………….." The little man bowed his head even lower, until his red hair completely covered his eyes.
"But you did not lose me, Kenshin." She reminded, raising his chin to face her. "And, calling me just Kaoru should make you remember that night you proposed to me under the cherry blossoms, and the day you first held my hand as my husband, and that night I gave you all……….so we can have this," as she patted her slightly larger abdomen.
"Of course, Kaoru---------um, Kaoru," Kenshin replied, then blurted, "-dono. Ororororo. You see, I want the chance to call you by your name only, during those times when you are more special to me……….."
"Kenshin, the next time THAT will happen , your baby has just been born, or you are minutes from death! Now, I don't want to wait that long to be called just Kaoru!"
"I'll settle with koishii for now, Kaoru-do—do---Kaoru."
"That's better, anata," Kaoru smiled and started soaping the breakfast dishes.
Yahiko came by the kitchen, rubbing the sleep off his eyes and yawning. "What are you two raising your voices about so early?" he asked.
"Nothing serious, Yahiko," Kenshin reassured him. "Kao---Ka---um, anou, Koishii doesn't want to be called Kaoru-dono anymore, that's all."
"Koishii?" Yahiko looked at the redhead with an eyebrow raised. He looked as if he had just tasted one of Kaoru's worst meals. "I'd stick to Kaoru-dono, if I were you, Kenshin. She's not the type you'd like to call 'koishii', that hag!"
A porcelain rice bowl flew through the air toward Yahiko. It would have smacked him sure on the face, if Kenshin had not caught it. "You should not have done that, anata. The intention was to hit that obnoxious ward of mine!" Kaoru grumbled from the sink. Yahiko stuck a tongue out at his master.
"Will both of you calm down please!!" Kenshin pleaded at the top of his voice. "Today is my first session, and I still can't think of what to do!"
"I'll go with you, anata, for today," Kaoru offered. "After all, I've been a teacher for some time already. I suppose you can use the help."
"Arigatou, Kaoru-do---"
"Now what did I just tell you?"
"Arigatou, koishii."
"Good, good. Please wait for me while I get dressed."
But Kaoru understood what Kenshin meant by avoiding the use of plain "Kaoru". When she heard "Arigatou, Kaoru---", her mind quickly flew back to that night under the stars. They were by the lake, surrounded by fireflies, she remembered. He said a lot of words she could not fully comprehend. She only understood that he was leaving. That he was leaving her. He held her close and whispered softly, "Arigatou, Kaoru." No –dono. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she was locked in his embrace. Then he quietly said, "Sayonara", released her, and walked away without looking back.
She had also heard from Megumi and Sanosuke, one day when Kenshin went to market, after the events regarding Enishi. How Kenshin fell on his knees in the middle of the dojo, and kept calling desperately for "Kaoru-dono……Kaoru-dono", then simply "Kaoru", as he wept profusely.
There was a place found deep in Kenshin's heart, that held his saddest and his fondest memories of her. It was a special place, one that he did not dare to visit every day, one that he did not want to include in his normal life. His memories of Tomoe were, for the most part, locked far away, in an unmarked tomb in Kyoto. But his finest memories of Kaoru were kept under lock and key, by two syllables, by one kana. When he called her only by name, it was as if he allowed himself to loosen that guard, to open up that special place, to let in some new and unforgettable memory of her.
This, Kaoru understood only now.
She promised herself not to press him further. At least, he would learn to call her "koishii", beloved, instead.
"ATENNNN—TION!" The command came crisp and clear from the officer in charge of cadets. "Salute your new chief trainer, NOW!" Forty salutes were given. The chief trainer bowed to his students, raised his right hand and returned their salute. Forty hands came down with a snap.
"Cadets, this is Himura Kenshin. He used to serve for the government, but was unable to receive any ranking. For the purposes of this training, you will address him as 'sensei'. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" came forty booming voices.
"Proceed!" the officer commanded, and nodded toward the trainer.
But the new chief trainer had frozen.
After a minute of tense silence, a few cadets dared to whisper and giggle between themselves, as they looked at the trepidation in their trainer's face.
Suddenly the main door opened, and a young woman in full kendo uniform and gear marched into the room with authority. All forty cadets then burst into whispers. "A woman! A woman should not be allowed here! Who is she? The nerve of her!"
The woman approached the chief trainer and tapped him on the shoulder. He gave a smile, and nodded for her to continue.
The whispers began again, "How is she related to him? A woman on the side, probably? She's a pretty one! How old is she?"
"Back to your places!" The woman ordered with much firmness in her voice. The cadets quickly obeyed without question.
The woman paced the room as she spoke and eyed the cadets. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Himura Kaoru, and I am the wife of your trainer, Himura Kenshin."
Whispers started again. "Ooooh! Henpecked husband!"
"Silence in the ranks!" The cadets snapped to attention. Kaoru made her way to one of the hecklers. "No, he is not a henpecked husband." She placed the tip of her bokken under the chin of the heckler. "SOME of you might remember me as Kamiya Kaoru, of the Kamiya dojo."
The heckler paled considerably. "Se-se-sensei?!"
"It's good that you still remember me." Kaoru lowered the bokken and continued pacing. "To those of you who don't even know me, it might be wise if you know right now that I am one of the strictest kendo teachers in Tokyo. Many teachers will testify to that."
"What good will that do, you're not our trainer!" A cadet mumbled.
"Because, sir, I am showing my husband how a training session should be conducted, and I assure you that he CAN be as strict as I am now if he wanted. He is a very fast learner, and he will expect the same out of all of you. You do NOT want to get him angry at you, for any reason. He has the capacity to stop a hundred men by himself. He is not someone you want to contradict." Kaoru now faced the trainer and asked. "Where had you planned to start?"
"Basics. Assessing the opponent." Kenshin replied, regaining his composure.
"Good. I suppose that your knowledge isn't far from mine about that." Kaoru began to pace the breadth of the room again, and stopped in front of a trembling cadet. She pointed her bokken at him. "You, sir. I volunteer you to help demonstrate the first technique. Step up in front of your sensei."
The cadet obeyed nervously. Cadet and trainer bowed to each other, and assumed standby positions. The cadet, weaponless, raised both arms in front of him, one hand ahead of the other, in a preparatory ninja stance. Kenshin was still standing normally, but with his left hand at his sakabatou's sheath. He raised his right hand toward Kaoru and silenced her.
"I will take it from here, thank you, um, anou, koishii," he assured. It was already like one of his lessons with Yahiko, and like one of Hiko's lessons with him. He addressed the cadet.
"Your first lesson in self-defense. This will be useful to you whether you use a sword, a baton, or a gun. Always remember to know the capabilities of your opponent. For instance, you have had some experience in the hand-to-hand martial arts, as seen by your stance.
"Your eyes tell me that you are afraid of me. If I were a criminal I would use that fear to my advantage, and I would not think twice of getting the better of you. They also tell me that you have not killed anyone yet, whether in cold blood or in the line of duty. Be prepared, my friend, for someday, you might be called upon to end a life. I hope that it would not be necessary.
"But lastly, you are not moving from your place. It assures me that you are not a coward. You are ready to fight me, even if you think that you are at the losing end. Never lose that courage; it will someday serve you well."
The cadet stared at Kenshin, as if he were a fortuneteller. The rest of the men all had their eyes bulging out of their sockets in surprise. Even Kaoru, who had heard similar speeches given to Yahiko, was very impressed.
"Now, you try it," Kenshin offered to the cadet with a smile. He was in control.
Many more words passed between the volunteer cadet and his trainer, and many more examples were given. A few basic evasion techniques were demonstrated. If any of the cadets listening went out of line, a pair of piercing eyes in the cadet's direction were all that were needed to bring him back. But for the most part, all forty men were listening intently and paying close attention to the session. They were all astounded at the wisdom this small redhaired man exuded with every word.
The spell was broken as Kenshin approached his wife and tapped her on the shoulder. He did not know how to end his lecture. Kaoru understood and gave the order. "Alright, practice for one hour!"
The cadets were more than willing to oblige. They were all excited to try for themselves all the techniques they had just learned from their new trainer. Kenshin and Kaoru simply weaved in and out of the pairs, correcting this position and that stance, praising this person, encouraging that person. The sixty minutes quickly passed, as if it were only sixty seconds.
The officer loudly called again for attention. Soon the cadets were in line and ready with their salutes. The Himuras bowed in return. "We thank you for being such attentive students," Kaoru for the two of them. "I hope you respect and follow your trainer this much at every session."
"You have our word!" they chorused.
"Dismissed!" Kenshin concluded.
The couple chatted happily about the first session on the way home. Kenshin thanked Kaoru fervently for helping him through the first part. Kaoru related how good he was with the students once he got going.
Added to the joy was the salary paid to Kenshin on his first day. It was a thousand yen more than what had been agreed upon. "In payment for your wife's able assistance today." The chief explained.
"Maybe I should help you every week!" Kaoru chided.
"But, Ka—Ka—Koishii, the techniques will only get tougher each week!" Kenshin warned.
"So, I'll help you a little less each week, until I'm sure I can leave you alone," Kaoru retorted.
"Oroooo, Kaoru-do---"
"Now, Kenshin…….."
"……..Koishii."
As soon as they reached home, Kaoru made her way to the kitchen to fix a quick lunch for themselves. They had the whole house; Yahiko was again at the Akabeko and helping with deliveries. He most surely had eaten lunch there.
She returned to the front of the house, bearing their lunch in a tray. But Kenshin had fallen asleep on the porch, in that odd position peculiar to himself. He was seated with his back leaned on a post. His head neither nodded nor leaned back, but remained in one place. However, unlike before, he had kept his sword lying on the wooden floor, instead of held firmly in one hand.
"My poor anata………tired out………." Kaoru smiled at him, quietly breathing. She looked down at the tray. "Might as well keep this for a while…….." She turned around and began to walk back to the kitchen.
"Kaoru……….." She barely heard her name, and only her name, from behind her.
She looked over her shoulder to make sure she heard right. Then she lowered the tray and sat beside her husband to be doubly sure.
Suddenly a hand was placed over her shoulder, and she felt an arm across her back.
"Aishiteru, Kaoru."
Awake or asleep, Kaoru did not care.
"I love you, too, Kenshin."
……………………………………………
Specific comments:
JML, thanks for being the first person to reassure that I was not committing a crime. ^_^ Thanks for the info, I didn't know that about Saitou! Thanks for the rundown on the trimesters! Are you a pre-med or med student or something? Oh, I do watch Inuyasha, but I see it translated into my language, so it's not much use. Inuyasha sounds a lot like Ranma ½ here. But then that's supposed to be expected. ^_^
Vesca, I promise, I won't make Kenshin such an airhead always. ^-^
Aki, marstanuki, Hana Himura, and Nye-Yen, as you can see, I'm continuing.
Diablo, thanks for backing me up. And thanks for the info about "sessha". Yup, Shishio had no honorifics duing the fight, I remember. ^_^
Kawaii sakura-chan, thanks for liking the crazy first ep!
C-chan, thanks for the reassurance! I'll try to do my best!
Larania, thanks for the info about "anata" and "kimi".
Chibi-gami, I think I'll leave it at the General section for now, at least until I know at the end how this all turns out. ^_^ I'll try to settle it in my brain about "dono".
Emiri-chan, thanks for liking it so much! Even I didn't think it was THAT cute!
Sabrina-star, I figured Kenshin would be so rattled he won't think he did it! Thanks for reading!
Shiomei, I hope you're getting the WAFF you wanted, but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. ^_^
Thanks, Kiki! Hope you keep reading!
Chiki, maraming salamat! ^_^ Don't worry about that last chapter of yours. I reacted that way because you got me completely off-guard for that twist. Believe me, I'm taking time with each chappie. I'm having more trouble with this one than I even had with Seven Days!! A Seven Days chap took me a day, except for "Sessha" and "Nightmare". Now a Nine Months chap takes me three days! I have to do more thinking for Nine Months!
Thanks, Crystal! More power to your fics! I think Kenshin still called Aoshi as Aoshi-dono, but I'm not sure. ^_^
White Plum, you have your answer above. ^_^ Glad you liked this!
C-Chan, thanks for noting that slip with Saitou. I think I was trying to show how flustered Kenshin was then. Keep reading, onegai!
Ro-chan, thanks for thinking that the reactions were "priceless".
Kaoru Himura, since I'm torturing your husband enough as it is, he probably won't get morning sickness as well. ^_^ Keep reading!
Spellcaster the Diamond, thanks for the support!
Miya-chan, arigatou!
Mi-chan, arigatou! Please keep reading!
elyssalyn, I hope it stops driving you crazy. I might alternate between "Kaoru-dono" and "koishii" for you, and for the rest of the people who don't like it. ^_^
Lynne Katrea, thanks for the info!
rurounix, I admit my mistake. You're right about Kenji being 15. ^_^ Yahiko should look WAY older in SeisouHen, don't you think?
Aisha C, thanks for the support. I'm so glad I'm not THAT mistaken. ^_^
I think that's everybody who has reviewed until now. ^_^ Thanks to you all. Thanks for being so concerned about me to comment incessantly about the "dono" and "sessha". (sigh) I'll see what I can do. Ja ne!