15th chapter. Man, this is the longest I've ever gone in a fic. Thanks for the support!
Again: "anata" and "koishii" are mushy terms for your spouse. "honto" means really. "baka" means stupid. ^^ And anyone who even thinks I own RK is more psychotic than Yukishiro Enishi.
Long read ahead of you, sorry! ^_^
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"Kenshin………anata………" Kaoru cooed from the front porch.
"Hai, Kaoru-dono, I-I-I-mean, koishii……" Kenshin looked up momentarily from the afternoon laundry.
"Remind me of that night again, will you, anata?" Kaoru sweetly begged.
"What night?" Kenshin lowered his hands again into the soapy water.
"That night you made love to me, that night, anata."
"ORO?!" Kenshin half fell into the washtub. "Whatever for, Kaoru-dono?"
"Just remind me, anata. Why are we in this mess again? Why do I have to suffer throw-ups, horrible backaches, and terrible stomach cramps? Why do I look like a bloated whale? Why can't I go to work? Why did I almost get you killed because of overwork? Why, Kenshin, why?!"
"I honestly do not know, Kaoru-dono," he replied with a patented oro face, suds in his hair.
Kaoru sighed. What did she expect out of her hopelessly clueless husband?
However, her hopelessly clueless husband continued, "If I knew pregnancy would be this much trouble, I would not have made love to you then, my dear. But sessha has learned a lot of things about Kaoru-dono, over the past eight months, that he would not trade for an easier experience."
Eight months have indeed passed. Enishi's visit marked the end of the seventh month of Kaoru's pregnancy.
Kaoru still munched on her pickles and cake every so often, usually separately but occasionally together. Misao grimaced every Friday, when she found her in the kitchen having an afternoon snack of 3 pickles and a sponge cake. However, pickles and cake were no longer an obsession with Himura Kaoru, as it was previously. Her mind had other things to concern itself. She had to get the house ready for the coming baby. She also worried about new sheets and beddings, which the white-headed businessman's gift did not cover. And diapers. How many would be enough for the new baby?
How much should she ask of Kenshin? True, he no longer harangued her about the expenses, but it was still hard to have those two piercing purple eyes look back at her every time she asked for money. They pierced her rather often now, as she asked for money to feed two extra mouths.
The piercing eyes were not Kenshin's fault at all. At his end, he expected to release his savings, now that the time had come. It was nothing to him. But to Kaoru, his eyes always seemed to say, to interrogate, "Is this expense necessary, Kaoru-dono?". Thus, she kept her requests to the absolute minimum.
She actually had to be asked, by the Red Dragon, that afternoon. "Is this wise of you, Kaoru-dono, not to be buying anything yet for the baby? You do recall Misao-dono's exasperation at us last month."
She gave him a silly grin. "I don't know how much to spend, Red Dra—I mean, anata."
"Sou de gozaru ne," Kenshin rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He took his hands off the soapy water, and sat beside his wife. "Tomorrow is a Saturday, so why don't I go with you shopping?"
"Honto?! It has been a while since we went shopping together. Alright, then! I'll make up a list tonight!"
Kenshin smiled at this energetic reception.
From behind a tree, someone was eavesdropping on their conversation. "Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to follow Himura Kenshin and Kaoru tomorrow, and determine their new shopping habits as a couple!"
"Forgive me if I do not come with you tomorrow on your surveillance, Misao." A tall man beside her commented.
"Aw, come on, Aoshi-sama! You're no fun!" Misao pouted. "Besides, what harm could a little snooping do?"
……………………
Mission status: in progress. And what SLOW progress!!! The operative reported mentally to herself. This is exasperating! I've been tracking these two for an hour, and they haven't bought anything!
Hiding behind corners, under stalls, and behind merchandise, Misao determined that her two targets have so far only strolled around the market. Sometimes they stopped for five minutes at a stall, but moved on after some discussion between them.
Purpose of the mission: to determine how a normal husband and wife would do such ordinary things like shopping. Ultimate Mission: to determine how to act when Aoshi-sama FINALLY gets it into his head to be my husband! Now, to continue with this mission……..
Her targets stopped two stores in front of her. A fabric store. Perfect, plenty of places to hide. She waited for the moment when both had their eyes on some cloth on display, and sneaked into the store behind them, hiding behind stacks of fabric.
The conversation was mundane enough. This one? No. What about this one? Too frilly. Too expensive. Too shabby. Misao got annoyed again.
Then it got interesting.
"Make up your mind, anata!"
"You're the woman; you should know these things!"
"I'm not known for fashion sense, Himura Kenshin!"
"Fine, fine!"
Silence for two minutes. Misao watched intently. Kaoru had her hands to her waist and her face in a frown. Kenshin stared at the ground, deep in thought. Afterward he raised his head and spoke.
"Alright, Kaoru-dono. Ask the storekeeper for two kinds that you prefer, and I will ask the same. We will choose from there."
The targets separated, and returned after five minutes, holding a piece of fabric each.
"I couldn't find the one I really liked…….." Misao heard Kaoru tell her husband.
"Neither could I, koishii. Anyway, let's see what you have……." The husband offered kindly.
Misao noticed the storekeeper return to the couple with a roll of cloth under an arm. "I'm sorry I took a while to find this…….."
"THAT'S THE ONE!! IT'S PERFECT!"
The male target looked in surprise at the female target. They had both said the same thing. They laughed together while the shopkeeper looked at them with confusion. "We'll take this one, sir," Kenshin paid the man in between loud peals.
Mission log 1: Husband and wife must choose bedsheets together.
Misao did not notice that her targets had left the store without her.
She noticed too late that someone had pulled out a roll from behind. She suddenly lost her balance, and several rolls of fabric fell out of place, taking her with them as they tumbled to the floor.
"What is the meaning of this, weasel? Are you still spying on me?" a man demanded.
As she rubbed her sore bottom, Misao looked for her accuser---and stared in alarm at a tall man in white, wearing a brown hat. She quickly turned bright red.
"Y-y-you! Why are you still here in T-T-Tokyo? We thought you left! Ps-Ps-Psy----no-----Yukishiro-san!"
He replied in a suave yet gently fierce voice, "None of your concern why I am still here, weasel of the Kyoto Oniwabanshuu! Why are YOU still in Tokyo? Now get lost, little girl!"
"I am NOT a little girl, you white-haired-----aaaack, forget about it!" She rose up to leave. "And for your information, I was not spying on you." She tossed her proud head at him, and turned the corner.
Man, that was awful! Misao sighed in relief, and leaned on the wall of the deserted alley where she turned. I've been rooted out by Enishi, of all people, and now I've lost Himura and Kaoru-san!
Mission log 2: NOBODY calls me a little girl again and LIVES!! AAARGH!!
Fortunately for the operative, Kenshin's hair proved to be a useful beacon. A lone flame in a sea of black and graying hair, she quickly located her target, standing in front of another store. She hid under a table.
"Too much! Fifteen!" Kenshin was calling out toward the inside of the store.
"Too little! Thirty! Forty even!" a high voice loudly responded.
Misao peered out to find out what they were
bargaining for. Kenshin stood in front of a supply store, and Kaoru yelled from
inside it. What could possibly be haggled so much?
"Twenty!"
"Thirty-five! Nothing lower than thirty-five!"
"Are you serious, Kaoru-dono? I have to pay for those things, you know!"
"Thirty-five! It's not like those things are expensive! They actually come cheaper in bulk!"
"Does Kaoru-dono have a solid idea just how many diapers a baby needs in a week?"
Diapers? They are haggling over diapers?! Misao did not believe what she was hearing.
The female target started cooing. "Aw, come on, now, anata, my love………forty, buy forty, so we don't have to worry about buying more when the baby arrives. Pretty please, Kenshin?"
"Orooooooo……..you win, this time." The male target took out his purse. He scratched his fiery head as he took out the money needed.
"Arigatou, anata!" Misao heard his wife sweetly reply.
Mission log 3: Showing affection for the husband works to the wife's advantage.
Misao crawled out from under the table, and bumped her head into something in the process. She immediately stood up to find out what the "something" was.
She hung her head. This is NOT going to plan ………..
"You again!" the something –the someone-- addressed her. "Look, check the books back in Kyoto, we have nothing to hide! Now what do you want to know?" It was a he, and his arms were folded across the chest. He looked at her with condescension.
At least Whitey isn't calling me a weasel yet……….
"Do you have anything to say for yourself, weasel?"
"Makimachi Misao desu yo!!" she finally and angrily answered. "I am NOT a weasel, I am NOT spying on you, I am NOT after you at all, you white-haired conceited baka!!"
She began to march off, but the white-haired conceited baka laid a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Explain yourself over lunch." He commanded without any small hint of a smile.
LUNCH?! She shook her head hard. Why should I even consider having lunch with that psycho?!
"If you do not come with me right now, I will take you personally to the precinct and have you arrested, for being a public nuisance!" The hand tightened on her shoulder, until she almost cried out in pain. She complied.
Mission status: temporarily aborted. This is crazy! Although, this will make an interesting story to tell Aoshi-sama!
With a hand still on Misao's shoulder, the tall man in a stylish white Chinese suit led her through the streets into the fashionable district. The pair was a study in contrasts. Children along the route were reminded of a living lesson in opposites. Tall and short. White and black. Man and woman. Stylish and functional. Sullen and animated.
Soon Misao found herself inside one of the better restaurants in Tokyo, where even foreigners came to eat. She was embarrassed at the number of people sideglancing them as they entered. They're probably staring as much at Enishi's silk clothes as at me, she consoled herself.
He selected a private booth, and, ever the gentleman, offered a seat to his bewildered guest. "What will you have?"
Misao was still too confused to decide.
"Two of your house specials, then," he told the waiter. He faced her, leaned his head on his hand, and said, "Now, explain."
"I am an Oniwabanshuu ninja; nobody can just bribe me to gain information!" Misao raised her nose at him.
"If it is not about me, it is probably about Battousai, am I correct?" he guessed as he lowered his glasses. "By the shock on your face, I know I am right."
"Get to your point, Yukishiro-san."
"Makimachi, aren't you satisfied with what he has already told you about himself?"
Misao pounded her fist on the table. "I'm not worried about his past……………It's my future that I'm worried about…………and I only wanted to know how Himura handles his marriage…………" Why in the name of Kami-sama am I telling him all this?!
"Aa, so that is why you and your boss are in Tokyo……" he nodded slowly.
"He is NOT my boss! True, he is the okashira, but he is my Aoshi-sama!"
"-sama? You revere that stonefaced man that much? Isn't there anyone else?"
Misao had no chance to answer, as the food arrived at that time. She ate with great relish, remembering every bite, knowing that it might be a while until she ate at a place like this again. The white-haired businessman only looked at her with amusement, as she made efforts to appear ladylike but often failed.
"I thought an Oniwabanshuu ninja could not be bribed?" he asked slyly.
"This is different," Misao replied, as she devoured the last of her rice.
"I have one more question," he stated after a long silence, and lowered the glasses to his nose, until Misao saw his dark eyes.
"Is there a chance someone could pursue a relationship with you? I, for instance?" he ended with a smile that Misao felt to her bones.
"YOU?!" Her eyes almost fell out of their sockets.
"Well, why not?" he continued confidently. "Many people would think I would have liked Himura's woman, but she did not suit me. She was the direct opposite of my nee-san, she couldn't cook, she was rather whiney. And she had this terrible damsel-in-distress aura about her!"
How DARE you say that about my friend, you fiend! Misao almost broke her lacquered chopsticks.
"You, on the other hand, Makimachi, you speak your mind, and I rather like that in a woman. Nee-san, she was the quiet type, but she spoke her mind when she had to. Furthermore, you are not afraid of anyone, even when there is no one to back you up, unlike Kamiya, who usually relies on Himura. Even your clothes tell me that you do not care if you stand out."
I stand out?! What is on this white-haired fellow's mind?!
The man was gazing at her face, in a way she had never seen in Himura or Aoshi-sama. Not the eerie glares he used to give her and the others, but another kind of stare, one that gave a girl a warm sensation.
"For someone who always plans his moves, someone who always works with a strategy, it is wonderful to encounter someone who is spontaneous and open about her ideas and feelings. Someone you are not afraid of approaching, wondering what she could be thinking about you. Her thoughts show on her face, her ideas come out of her speech without reservation."
Alright, how do I take this?!
"And I think that you could actually be very attractive, if given the right clothes and accessories, taught a few graces….."
"So this is the agenda behind treating me to lunch?" Misao interrupted.
"Yes." He gave her a mysterious grin.
"Now, see here," Misao stood up, and stared down at the white-haired man. "If this is your idea of asking a girl out, then you could just forget it! 'Sides, you don't know the least bit about me, and I don't think you'd like what you'll find out. Thank you truly for lunch, the food was spectacular, it was an unforgettable experience. Now, if you will excuse me, sir, I have to get back to Aoshi-sama. Aoshi-sama, you hear?!"
Misao opened the door of the booth and stepped out.
"Remember what I said, Makimachi," he warned after her. "I might still see you in Kyoto."
………………………………
Kenshin and Kaoru returned from shopping, Kenshin carrying two baskets full of goods. They found the ninja sprawled on the front porch and staring into nothingness. "Where have you been all day, Misao-dono?" Kenshin asked good-naturedly.
"Just out," she replied listlessly. "Say, Himura, is Yukishiro known to be a flatterer?"
"Enishi? Sessha does not think so. He is not known to be a ladies' man. Why?"
"Nothing, just asking." Misao continued to sulk and stare at nothing.
"Package for Misao," Sano greeted from the gate, and tossed a small box at her. "Postman just said the guy wore a hat."
Misao opened it wonderingly.
It was a small, golden, brooch----shaped like a weasel.
"He might no longer be a psycho, but he's still crazy!" Misao decided with finality and a sweatdrop.
……………………………………..
This has GOT to be one of the oddest RK pairings made! Thanks for reading, anyway! Opinions? Just be kind, please. ^^
I don't hate Kaoru, understand. Heck, my email is ek_kaoru@yahoo.com ! But the manga never implied a serious connection between Enishi and Kaoru, and everybody makes E/K/K fics, so I had the twisted idea of going against the norm. ^_^
Thanks in general to everybody who gave opinions and rants on our favorite white-haired psycho. ^^ Personally I think that he's not all the way evil (like his henchmen, ugh! Only Kujiranami is half OK!). He's just misunderstood AND misunderstanding of others.
AutumnFire, gomen nasai. It was a misprint in the story summary. The fact that you read chap 14 is correct. THIS is chap 15.
Nadachi-chan, thanks for the compliment, kabayan! I'm bad at remembering descriptions of book characters, and Simoun's was one of the few that I do.
Ro-chan, not sleeping to read fanfic is bad. ^^ You need all the sleep you can get!! But thanks for thinking I deserve the loss of your sleeping time. Yup, Enishi is a "handsome, sexy man"! He used to be an ugly dog before he got a Nokia cellphone and called a high-end surgeon! (Have you seen those WEIRD Nokia commercials by any chance? ^_^)
Sabbie, thanks, I also thought as much, that baby bottles are a Western thing. ^^ Vandread fic? I'm thinking about it. But it's hard to beat "Panic Room". Read it, it's in my faves list!
Dewey, thanks for reading!
Kurara, I agree that Eni-chan is cool. ^^ The baby? A few chapters away.
SailorLoneStar, a friend of mine might just kill you, his favorite FF character is Sephiroth! How do you mean, BTW, that the last chap was different from the rest? ^_^
Spellcaster the Diamond, don't die yet! Thanks for liking the last chap!
Kriska, maraming salamat! Hope you keep reading!
JML, aw, why did you scrap that fic idea? Thanks for all the labor help! It'll prove very useful! I didn't know tabi are made of silk! About the silk clothes, that's why I said the baby things are mostly cotton, and only some were silk. I figured there aren't that many silk baby clothes, and a baby would be most uncomfortable in them!
Crystal, yes, the world is coming to an end!! Thanks for coming back, kabayan! Nothing wrong with making Eni-chan always a villain, it's hard making him otherwise!
Marstanuki, Happy new year! Thanks for reading!
Emiri-chan, you're forgiven! I have the same problem with other people's fics. I'm a girl. I look like Kaoru, sorta kinda, and my personality is basically like hers. ^_^
Shiomei, sorry, really, I know I'm not good at WAFF and mush! Kenshin jealous? Of Enishi? Probably not. In the manga Eni-chan did not have anything for Kaoru, and vice-versa. But I get your point. "Tiger and Tanuki" does it better.
Yen, has she paid up yet? ^^ Thanks for liking the chappie.
Chavi West-Wind, thanks for liking the story so far, hope you keep reading. Don't worry about the "oro", it's just one of the things that make Kenshin, Kenshin! Subbers and dubbers usually translate it as "huh?"
Firuze Khanume, by now you know that Enishi means no harm. Thanks for liking the way I presented him. I know what you mean. I made Eni-chan completely psychotic in my first fic, too.
Kaoru Himura, I hope you've paid the five bucks! ^^
Takato the Wolf Taikashi, thanks for liking chap 13. By now your questions have been answered. ^_^
Fehrocious, yup, handsome hottie, Enishi, that he is! When I first got my copy of the manga vol. 18, where Enishi is first introduced, I could only stare at him. My gosh! If only he wasn't so crazy!! Yup, the Himuras forgot there are such things as yellow and sky blue clothes, that can match either a baby girl or boy!
Jibeth, Yikes, I'm not one of the best writers yet! Just happy with the reviews I get! Thanks for liking the stuff!
C-chan, yes, those enumeration tests are awful!! Thanks for the support!
Chiki, sorry about the misunderstanding. I didn't realize I scared you so much! Oh, about French, I have a friend who's studying it. He tells me that one of their assignments is to write a diary IN FRENCH, for practice. I'd like to do that for Japanese, but I don't know enough yet. ^^ So my journals stay in English.
Soul, thanks for liking the Enishi chappie!
I'll see you all again!