GOMEN NASAI MINNA-SAN!!!!! I am so ashamed of myself... taking so long to
update for you but between school, work and my sheer insanity/writer's
block, I have been drowning myself in Neopets.com... ::sniff::
Neko: It's otay Lunar-chan... we completely understand.
Kenshin: Neko-dono's right Lunar-dono... I'm sure the readers will forgive you.
Lunar: ::sniff:: I hope so...
Yahiko: What do you know Kenshin! You and Busu actually got to go OUTSIDE these past few weeks! Me and Sano had to stay inside, downstairs in the basement! And Tsubame and Megumi got out, hell even Misao and Aoshi got to breath fresh air!
Lunar: ::eyes widen in anger:: WHY YOU...! ::starts strangling Yahiko::
Yahiko:: ACK!!
Lunar: I only let them out because they DIDN'T PESTER ME TO START WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER SO YOU COULD GET OFF YOUR SORRY, LAZY ASS AND ACT WELL FOR ONCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ::lets go of Yahiko and drops him on the floor. Turns toward Sano, who was wide-eyed:: You got something to say?
Sano: ::Shakes head vigorously:: No all mighty Lunar-sama...
Lunar: ::stares at him for a few seconds, blinking. Then starts laughing hysterically, rolling on the floor:: AHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
::whole cast simultaneously sweatdrops::
Neko: Lunar-chan's finally lost it...
Kenshin: It's that lack of sleep, isn't it...
Yahiko: ::up against the wall, staring:: Kowaii...
Kaoru: Ano... if Lunar-chan goes to the insane asylum, does that mean we can leave?
Lunar: ::stops laughing and stands up:: No one's ever called me '-sama' before... ::looks at everyone:: To answer your question Kaoru, iie, because you will all have to come with me and we will finish this in the nice padded rooms!! ::laughs evilly::
Kaoru: Oh boy...
Kenshin: Lunar-dono, I think you need a nap...
Lunar: A nap? Who needs sleep when you've got DEW!!! ::holds up a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew® and grins evilly::
Neko: HEY THAT'S MINE!
Lunar: ::holds Dew possessively:: IIE!! MINE!!! ::backs into a corner:: I'm starting the story on a caffeine high! ::smiles:: So no minna, here's the long awaited CHAPTER THREE!!!! Please enjoy and don't forget to R + R!!!!!!!!!!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FYI:
"...": Speaking
[...]: Thoughts
~*~*~: Scene change
(...): Lunar-chan notes
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~Someday: Chapter Three~*~
~*~DISCLAIMER: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Please don't even TRY and sue me cause I couldn't make money off this if I tried. Believe me, I couldn't. I can't even make money at work!~*~
~*~Either learn from the past or repeat it.
Although it's a tough lesson to learn, it may save your life.~*~
(Neko-chan, didn't I ask you to find out who hired him... so THEY can fire them... what the hell...)
Kenji had walked around his neighborhood twice and had yet to calm is nerves, when the skies opened and it began to pour. Kenji started to run toward his house, when he remembered he had brought his umbrella. [Oro...] he opened it up, but his hair and clothes were already soaked through and dripping. He sighed. [Damn it...]
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Down the block, Kaori, who had been walking in the same direction since she left her house, driven by a gut feeling, was caught in the same storm. The only problem was, she was without an umbrella. After a few seconds, she was soaked through. [Oh shit!] Kaori ran down the street, but in the same direction she had been walking, shielding her eyes from the rain and not really paying attention to where she was going.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenji heard footsteps splashing in the rapidly forming puddles behind him. He turned just in time to see a raven haired woman crash into him and send both of them diving into the asphalt.
"Oro!" Kenji yelped as he fell on his back, his eyes swirling as Kaori landed on top of him.
"Aa! Go... gomen nasai!" Kaori squeaked. She started to get up but then found herself staring deep into Kenji's violet eyes. She stopped a few inches away from his face, blinking. "Hi... Hirama-san?" Kenji blinked in surprise.
"How do you know my name?" Kaori stood up quickly, pulling Kenji up with her. She immediately let go of his hand and averted her eyes.
"You're in my mythology class at school..." Kaori looked up, her deep blue eyes locking with Kenji's violet ones. "I'm Kanama Kaori." Kenji blinked.
"You are Matsuda-chan's friend?" Kaori nodded. Kenji bent over and picked up his umbrella. "Well, Kanama-chan, what are you doing out at this hour?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Aa..." Kenji smiled. "Well, I decided to go for a walk de gozaru. I couldn't sleep." Kaori's eyes widened and her mouth dropped ever so slightly.
"De... gozaru?" she murmured. Kenji nodded, oblivious to the fact that the phrase disturbed Kaori in the slightest.
"It's something I always say." Kenji looked around at their surroundings. "I think it would be in our best interest to seek shelter de gozaru. My home is the next block over and I will share my umbrella with you de gozaru." Kaori nodded.
"Alright." Kaori moved closer to Kenji to get under the umbrella. They walked to Kenji's house in silence. Kaori felt a sense of comfort being that close to a complete stranger as they walked.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When they got to Kenji's house, he stopped in the driveway.
"Ano... Kanama-chan, how do you feel about... climbing trees?" Kaori blinked in confusion.
"Why?"
"Because to get into my house we'll need to go through my window and that's on the second floor. I didn't bring my keys with me..."
"...Oh..." Kaori shrugged. "It doesn't bother me." Kenji smiled.
"Follow me." Kaori followed Kenji around the house to the large oak tree. "Climb up to the branch next to that open window." Kaori nodded and began to climb. Kenji was right behind her, making sure she didn't fall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Up in Kenji's room, Kaori stood, dripping on the hard wood floor. Kenji had left a trail of water as he went to get some towels. He came back with two big fluffy towels and handed one to Kaori.
"Here you are, you can dry off with this. My bathroom is through that door." Kaori glanced at the door where Kenji had pointed. "I'll get you some clothes to change into while I put those things in the dryer." He put his own towel down on his rumpled bed and rummaged through his dresser. He pulled out a pair of flannel pants and a tee shirt. "These are too small for me so they should fit you." He handed the clothes to her.
"Arigato." She said softly, taking the clothes. She turned toward the bathroom and walked in, closing the door behind her. As the door closed, Kenji stripped off his wet clothing (^__^ Happy thoughts ^__^) and dried off. He had just pulled on his house pants on when there was a soft knock at the door. "Hirama-san, is it okay to come back in?"
"Hai." Kaori walked in, the clothes a little loose on her smaller form, drying her hair. Her eyes widened when she spotted his bare chest (^__^) and she blushed. She averted her eyes and busied herself with drying her hair. Kenji realized he was making her uncomfortable and pulled his tee shirt on.
"Aa, Hirama-san? Do you have a brush and elastic?" Kenji nodded and rummaged through is dresser again, producing a brush and white elastic. He handed them to her. "Arigato." She proceeded to brush her wet hair and pull it back into a ponytail as Kenji turned the light on. His eyes widened as light flooded the room.
"Yo... you're that girl from this afternoon!" Kaori blinked. "You're the one... who called me that name!" Kaori looked down at the floor.
"Hai." She said. "It was me. During class, I was really quiet and was hiding in the back corner, so you wouldn't notice me. It was just too weird."
"What was too weird?" Kenji asked. Kaori put the brush and towed down on his bed.
"You." Kenji blinked. "I've been having strange dreams."
"Yume?"
"Hai. It's like I'm reliving past events and I feel somehow involved in them." Kaori looked up. "That's why I called you that."
"Why?" Kenji asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Kaori moved closed to him.
"Because you look almost exactly like him..." she lifted her hand toward his face. "Except... for the... scar..." her fingertips lightly brushed across Kenji's face, tracing an imaginary scar. As she finished the horizontal line, the firm grasp of Kenji's hand around her wrist halted any further movement. Kaori bit her lip as Kenji's intense violet orbs bore into her own. His expression didn't change as she felt his fingers loosen, but didn't fully release her wrist. The slow movement of his thumb caressing the back of her hand startled Kaori, but she did nothing to stop it. She felt his gentle fingers slowly move up the back of her hand, over the tips of her fingers and down her palm, all the while tracing small circles on the sensitive skin. Kaori felt a shiver go down her spine as Kenji interlocked his fingers with her own. She was vaguely aware of the fact that they were moving closer together until his lips brushed lightly against hers. Her eyes widened and she froze, as Kenji stared at her with half opened violet eyes.
Kenji's eyes snapped open and he moved away from her quickly, unlocking her hand from his.
"Go... gomen nasai." He sat on his bed, facing away from her. Kaori gently traced her lips, still in a state of shock. "I didn't... mean to... violate you like that."
"...Violate me..." Kaori mumbled. She looked at him. "Why do you thing you've violated me?"
"We've only just met de gozaru. I had no right." Kaori blinked. "I just had this overwhelming feeling surge through me and I let my subconscious control me." He turned and looked at her with sorry eyes. "My dreams have been affecting me."
"You've... had dreams too?" Kenji nodded. "About what?"
"They revolve around this one woman's death... but no one ever mentions her name... if they do, it's either a nickname or I can't understand them..."
"Oh..." Kaori wasn't sure what to say to that. An uncomfortable silence passed between them. Kaori looked at the clock, which read 1:38. Her eyes widened. "Hirama-san, I should go home. It's really late." Kenji looked up.
"Demo, it's still pouring out. You'll get soaked again." Kaori was touched by his concern.
"I realize that, but if I'm not there in the morning, Otou-san will probably call the police. And if I stay any longer, I might fall asleep."
"The rain shouldn't last much longer, you can sleep and I'll wake you when the rain stops." Kaori sighed and nodded.
"Alright Hirama-san." Kenji smiled.
"Very good. You may sleep here de gozaru." He said, pointing to his bed. Kaori's eyes widened.
"And... where shall you be?"
"On the floor." Kaori sighed in relief, then blinked.
"Wait a minute. This floor is hardwood. That can't be comfortable."
"I'll be fine. It's like sleeping on a futon." Kaori glared at him.
"Hirama-san no baka!" she stomped her foot. Kenji blinked. "Sleeping on the floor is VERY different from sleeping on a futon. I can't let you do that, it wouldn't be very nice." Kenji sweatdropped.
"Demo..."
"No excused. You've already been nice to me, inviting my into your home and all, ESPICALLY since we haven't known each other for long at all. I will not deprive you of your bed." Kaori smiled. "As long as we have two blankets, well be fine." Kenji smiled weakly. He didn't want to make her mad; he suddenly had a fear of being hit in the head with a shinai.
"Alright Kanama-chan. I will." Kenji grabbed another blanket and they both sat down on the bed. Kaori's eyelids suddenly felt incredibly heavy as her head his the pillow. She pulled the thick blanket up to her chin and curled into a ball. On the other edge of the bed, a nervous Kenji laid down with his own blanket, his eyes closing as his head hit the pillow. Being in each other's presence seemed to calm their nerves and they both immediately fell asleep and began to dream.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaori's eyes fluttered open. She looked around and realized she was standing outside a dojo. The sign outside read: "Kamiya Dojo: Asst. Master, Myoujin Yahiko" she did a double take and sighed.
"Not again." She said, walking through the entrance. Walking down the pathway, she heard talking. Following the sounds, she came upon the Kenshin-gumi sitting around a table. Kaori blinked in confusion as she gazed upon the somewhat familiar faces. [Everyone... looks older...] at the top of the table said a much older Yahiko, who seemed to be about 15, and next to him sat Tsubame, who also seemed about 15. Across from her sat Sano, who was shoveling rice into his mouth, the seat next to him empty. Kenshin was next to Tsubame, his eyes staring blankly into his teacup and the seat across from Yahiko lay dormant as if it hasn't been used in a while.
The cry of a babe startled Kaori as Megumi walked in, a small bundle in her arms. Kaori jumped out of the way, an amazing feat, considering the fact that she was wearing the yellow kimono again and watched Megumi sit next to Sano. Yahiko scowled.
"That kid of yours sure lives up to her name." He said, covering his ears. Sano glared at him.
"Shut your mouth Yahiko-CHAN!" Yahiko fumed.
"Don't call me CHAN!" he started toward Sano but stopped Tsubame grabbed his elbow.
"It's too early Yahiko. Besides..." she let go of him. "You'll make her cry even more..."
"Okay Tsubame." Yahiko sat down. Megumi began to rock the child.
"Hush Kao-chan... there's no reason to cry..." Megumi said softly. Kaori smiled and moved closer to Megumi to get a good look at the child. As she leaned over, Kao-chan opened her green eyes and seemed to stare directly at Kaori. The child's little chubby arms reached up at Kaori, giggling. Kaori narrowed her eyes in confusion as Megumi smiled.
"That's my girl." Megumi gently placed a kiss on Kao-chan's forehead. Kao- chan smiled at her mother. Kaori smiled. [I never really saw Megumi as a mother...] Kaori moved and sat on the cushion next to Kenshin and watched.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenji woke up in an open area, the morning sun blinding him. He sat up and looked around, realizing he was in the temple's cemetery. His eyes widened.
"Why the hell am I in a cemetery?" Kenji asked no one imparticular. He leaned against a tree and sighed. "What's my reason for being here?" He gazed around at the graves with a confused look on his face.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hee hee hee hee hee... I'm semi evil, hai? I realize that it's a EVIL cliffhanger, but I seem to be really good at that...
Neko: Demo, it's in the MIDDLE of a dream! Lunar-chan, what are you thinking?
Lunar: Hm... that's a good question... ::Neko sweatdrops:: I'm not really sure, but I can't write anymore cause the caffeine high is wearing off and there are a few comments I have to answer and there's no one to stop me 'cause I locked the annoying ones in the basement and they can't get out.
Neko: Oi vey...
Lunar: Okay, one, I've been getting complaints that the new names are confusing, so being the nice person I am, I'll give you some info.
NAMES!!!! YEA!!!!
Kenshin Himura – Kenji Hirama
Kaoru Kamiya – Kaori Kanama
Aoshi Shinomori – Akito Suzukaze
Misao Makinachi – Mayo Matsuda
Shiro – Shizuo Inao
Kuro – Komi Hirose
Omasu – Osuka Shirai
Okan – Okawa Ando
I hope this helps. Since the others haven't REALLY been revealed, their names aren't here. When I reintroduce them into the story, I will list their names. This list will appear at the end of each chapter along with the Japanese Glossary. Hope I cleared things up!! ^_^
Neko: You're so nice Lunar-chan!
Lunar: ::beams:: I know! ::smiles:: By the way Neko-chan, did you like the little scene after they get out of the rain?
Neko: ::purrs:: Of course! I got to see Kenshin-kun... ::drools:: A LOT of Kenshin-kun...
Lunar: ::sighs:: Oi vey...
FYI: Japanese glossary
Busu: Ugly (Yahiko's nickname for Kaoru)
-dono: suffix. VERY respectful. Kaoru-dono = Miss Kaoru
Baka: Idiot, fool. Kenshin no baka = Kenshin you idiot
Hai: Yes
Minna: Everyone
Gomen ne (nasai): I'm (really) sorry
Ja (ne): See ya (later)
Demo: But
Kowaii: Scary
De gozaru: something Kenshin says after every sentence. It basically repeats what he just said.
Iie: No
Yume: Dream
Well, that's all for now minna! I'll get working on Chapter Four as soon as possible and I promise not to take too long to post it up (if at all possible, I would like to have at least 20 reviews total, so that means I'll post when I get 4 new reviews). Now, PLEASE R + R! ::Big kiss:: Remember; keep the peace, love and ANIME!! JA NE!!!!
Neko: It's otay Lunar-chan... we completely understand.
Kenshin: Neko-dono's right Lunar-dono... I'm sure the readers will forgive you.
Lunar: ::sniff:: I hope so...
Yahiko: What do you know Kenshin! You and Busu actually got to go OUTSIDE these past few weeks! Me and Sano had to stay inside, downstairs in the basement! And Tsubame and Megumi got out, hell even Misao and Aoshi got to breath fresh air!
Lunar: ::eyes widen in anger:: WHY YOU...! ::starts strangling Yahiko::
Yahiko:: ACK!!
Lunar: I only let them out because they DIDN'T PESTER ME TO START WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER SO YOU COULD GET OFF YOUR SORRY, LAZY ASS AND ACT WELL FOR ONCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ::lets go of Yahiko and drops him on the floor. Turns toward Sano, who was wide-eyed:: You got something to say?
Sano: ::Shakes head vigorously:: No all mighty Lunar-sama...
Lunar: ::stares at him for a few seconds, blinking. Then starts laughing hysterically, rolling on the floor:: AHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
::whole cast simultaneously sweatdrops::
Neko: Lunar-chan's finally lost it...
Kenshin: It's that lack of sleep, isn't it...
Yahiko: ::up against the wall, staring:: Kowaii...
Kaoru: Ano... if Lunar-chan goes to the insane asylum, does that mean we can leave?
Lunar: ::stops laughing and stands up:: No one's ever called me '-sama' before... ::looks at everyone:: To answer your question Kaoru, iie, because you will all have to come with me and we will finish this in the nice padded rooms!! ::laughs evilly::
Kaoru: Oh boy...
Kenshin: Lunar-dono, I think you need a nap...
Lunar: A nap? Who needs sleep when you've got DEW!!! ::holds up a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew® and grins evilly::
Neko: HEY THAT'S MINE!
Lunar: ::holds Dew possessively:: IIE!! MINE!!! ::backs into a corner:: I'm starting the story on a caffeine high! ::smiles:: So no minna, here's the long awaited CHAPTER THREE!!!! Please enjoy and don't forget to R + R!!!!!!!!!!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FYI:
"...": Speaking
[...]: Thoughts
~*~*~: Scene change
(...): Lunar-chan notes
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~Someday: Chapter Three~*~
~*~DISCLAIMER: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Please don't even TRY and sue me cause I couldn't make money off this if I tried. Believe me, I couldn't. I can't even make money at work!~*~
~*~Either learn from the past or repeat it.
Although it's a tough lesson to learn, it may save your life.~*~
(Neko-chan, didn't I ask you to find out who hired him... so THEY can fire them... what the hell...)
Kenji had walked around his neighborhood twice and had yet to calm is nerves, when the skies opened and it began to pour. Kenji started to run toward his house, when he remembered he had brought his umbrella. [Oro...] he opened it up, but his hair and clothes were already soaked through and dripping. He sighed. [Damn it...]
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Down the block, Kaori, who had been walking in the same direction since she left her house, driven by a gut feeling, was caught in the same storm. The only problem was, she was without an umbrella. After a few seconds, she was soaked through. [Oh shit!] Kaori ran down the street, but in the same direction she had been walking, shielding her eyes from the rain and not really paying attention to where she was going.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenji heard footsteps splashing in the rapidly forming puddles behind him. He turned just in time to see a raven haired woman crash into him and send both of them diving into the asphalt.
"Oro!" Kenji yelped as he fell on his back, his eyes swirling as Kaori landed on top of him.
"Aa! Go... gomen nasai!" Kaori squeaked. She started to get up but then found herself staring deep into Kenji's violet eyes. She stopped a few inches away from his face, blinking. "Hi... Hirama-san?" Kenji blinked in surprise.
"How do you know my name?" Kaori stood up quickly, pulling Kenji up with her. She immediately let go of his hand and averted her eyes.
"You're in my mythology class at school..." Kaori looked up, her deep blue eyes locking with Kenji's violet ones. "I'm Kanama Kaori." Kenji blinked.
"You are Matsuda-chan's friend?" Kaori nodded. Kenji bent over and picked up his umbrella. "Well, Kanama-chan, what are you doing out at this hour?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Aa..." Kenji smiled. "Well, I decided to go for a walk de gozaru. I couldn't sleep." Kaori's eyes widened and her mouth dropped ever so slightly.
"De... gozaru?" she murmured. Kenji nodded, oblivious to the fact that the phrase disturbed Kaori in the slightest.
"It's something I always say." Kenji looked around at their surroundings. "I think it would be in our best interest to seek shelter de gozaru. My home is the next block over and I will share my umbrella with you de gozaru." Kaori nodded.
"Alright." Kaori moved closer to Kenji to get under the umbrella. They walked to Kenji's house in silence. Kaori felt a sense of comfort being that close to a complete stranger as they walked.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When they got to Kenji's house, he stopped in the driveway.
"Ano... Kanama-chan, how do you feel about... climbing trees?" Kaori blinked in confusion.
"Why?"
"Because to get into my house we'll need to go through my window and that's on the second floor. I didn't bring my keys with me..."
"...Oh..." Kaori shrugged. "It doesn't bother me." Kenji smiled.
"Follow me." Kaori followed Kenji around the house to the large oak tree. "Climb up to the branch next to that open window." Kaori nodded and began to climb. Kenji was right behind her, making sure she didn't fall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Up in Kenji's room, Kaori stood, dripping on the hard wood floor. Kenji had left a trail of water as he went to get some towels. He came back with two big fluffy towels and handed one to Kaori.
"Here you are, you can dry off with this. My bathroom is through that door." Kaori glanced at the door where Kenji had pointed. "I'll get you some clothes to change into while I put those things in the dryer." He put his own towel down on his rumpled bed and rummaged through his dresser. He pulled out a pair of flannel pants and a tee shirt. "These are too small for me so they should fit you." He handed the clothes to her.
"Arigato." She said softly, taking the clothes. She turned toward the bathroom and walked in, closing the door behind her. As the door closed, Kenji stripped off his wet clothing (^__^ Happy thoughts ^__^) and dried off. He had just pulled on his house pants on when there was a soft knock at the door. "Hirama-san, is it okay to come back in?"
"Hai." Kaori walked in, the clothes a little loose on her smaller form, drying her hair. Her eyes widened when she spotted his bare chest (^__^) and she blushed. She averted her eyes and busied herself with drying her hair. Kenji realized he was making her uncomfortable and pulled his tee shirt on.
"Aa, Hirama-san? Do you have a brush and elastic?" Kenji nodded and rummaged through is dresser again, producing a brush and white elastic. He handed them to her. "Arigato." She proceeded to brush her wet hair and pull it back into a ponytail as Kenji turned the light on. His eyes widened as light flooded the room.
"Yo... you're that girl from this afternoon!" Kaori blinked. "You're the one... who called me that name!" Kaori looked down at the floor.
"Hai." She said. "It was me. During class, I was really quiet and was hiding in the back corner, so you wouldn't notice me. It was just too weird."
"What was too weird?" Kenji asked. Kaori put the brush and towed down on his bed.
"You." Kenji blinked. "I've been having strange dreams."
"Yume?"
"Hai. It's like I'm reliving past events and I feel somehow involved in them." Kaori looked up. "That's why I called you that."
"Why?" Kenji asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Kaori moved closed to him.
"Because you look almost exactly like him..." she lifted her hand toward his face. "Except... for the... scar..." her fingertips lightly brushed across Kenji's face, tracing an imaginary scar. As she finished the horizontal line, the firm grasp of Kenji's hand around her wrist halted any further movement. Kaori bit her lip as Kenji's intense violet orbs bore into her own. His expression didn't change as she felt his fingers loosen, but didn't fully release her wrist. The slow movement of his thumb caressing the back of her hand startled Kaori, but she did nothing to stop it. She felt his gentle fingers slowly move up the back of her hand, over the tips of her fingers and down her palm, all the while tracing small circles on the sensitive skin. Kaori felt a shiver go down her spine as Kenji interlocked his fingers with her own. She was vaguely aware of the fact that they were moving closer together until his lips brushed lightly against hers. Her eyes widened and she froze, as Kenji stared at her with half opened violet eyes.
Kenji's eyes snapped open and he moved away from her quickly, unlocking her hand from his.
"Go... gomen nasai." He sat on his bed, facing away from her. Kaori gently traced her lips, still in a state of shock. "I didn't... mean to... violate you like that."
"...Violate me..." Kaori mumbled. She looked at him. "Why do you thing you've violated me?"
"We've only just met de gozaru. I had no right." Kaori blinked. "I just had this overwhelming feeling surge through me and I let my subconscious control me." He turned and looked at her with sorry eyes. "My dreams have been affecting me."
"You've... had dreams too?" Kenji nodded. "About what?"
"They revolve around this one woman's death... but no one ever mentions her name... if they do, it's either a nickname or I can't understand them..."
"Oh..." Kaori wasn't sure what to say to that. An uncomfortable silence passed between them. Kaori looked at the clock, which read 1:38. Her eyes widened. "Hirama-san, I should go home. It's really late." Kenji looked up.
"Demo, it's still pouring out. You'll get soaked again." Kaori was touched by his concern.
"I realize that, but if I'm not there in the morning, Otou-san will probably call the police. And if I stay any longer, I might fall asleep."
"The rain shouldn't last much longer, you can sleep and I'll wake you when the rain stops." Kaori sighed and nodded.
"Alright Hirama-san." Kenji smiled.
"Very good. You may sleep here de gozaru." He said, pointing to his bed. Kaori's eyes widened.
"And... where shall you be?"
"On the floor." Kaori sighed in relief, then blinked.
"Wait a minute. This floor is hardwood. That can't be comfortable."
"I'll be fine. It's like sleeping on a futon." Kaori glared at him.
"Hirama-san no baka!" she stomped her foot. Kenji blinked. "Sleeping on the floor is VERY different from sleeping on a futon. I can't let you do that, it wouldn't be very nice." Kenji sweatdropped.
"Demo..."
"No excused. You've already been nice to me, inviting my into your home and all, ESPICALLY since we haven't known each other for long at all. I will not deprive you of your bed." Kaori smiled. "As long as we have two blankets, well be fine." Kenji smiled weakly. He didn't want to make her mad; he suddenly had a fear of being hit in the head with a shinai.
"Alright Kanama-chan. I will." Kenji grabbed another blanket and they both sat down on the bed. Kaori's eyelids suddenly felt incredibly heavy as her head his the pillow. She pulled the thick blanket up to her chin and curled into a ball. On the other edge of the bed, a nervous Kenji laid down with his own blanket, his eyes closing as his head hit the pillow. Being in each other's presence seemed to calm their nerves and they both immediately fell asleep and began to dream.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaori's eyes fluttered open. She looked around and realized she was standing outside a dojo. The sign outside read: "Kamiya Dojo: Asst. Master, Myoujin Yahiko" she did a double take and sighed.
"Not again." She said, walking through the entrance. Walking down the pathway, she heard talking. Following the sounds, she came upon the Kenshin-gumi sitting around a table. Kaori blinked in confusion as she gazed upon the somewhat familiar faces. [Everyone... looks older...] at the top of the table said a much older Yahiko, who seemed to be about 15, and next to him sat Tsubame, who also seemed about 15. Across from her sat Sano, who was shoveling rice into his mouth, the seat next to him empty. Kenshin was next to Tsubame, his eyes staring blankly into his teacup and the seat across from Yahiko lay dormant as if it hasn't been used in a while.
The cry of a babe startled Kaori as Megumi walked in, a small bundle in her arms. Kaori jumped out of the way, an amazing feat, considering the fact that she was wearing the yellow kimono again and watched Megumi sit next to Sano. Yahiko scowled.
"That kid of yours sure lives up to her name." He said, covering his ears. Sano glared at him.
"Shut your mouth Yahiko-CHAN!" Yahiko fumed.
"Don't call me CHAN!" he started toward Sano but stopped Tsubame grabbed his elbow.
"It's too early Yahiko. Besides..." she let go of him. "You'll make her cry even more..."
"Okay Tsubame." Yahiko sat down. Megumi began to rock the child.
"Hush Kao-chan... there's no reason to cry..." Megumi said softly. Kaori smiled and moved closer to Megumi to get a good look at the child. As she leaned over, Kao-chan opened her green eyes and seemed to stare directly at Kaori. The child's little chubby arms reached up at Kaori, giggling. Kaori narrowed her eyes in confusion as Megumi smiled.
"That's my girl." Megumi gently placed a kiss on Kao-chan's forehead. Kao- chan smiled at her mother. Kaori smiled. [I never really saw Megumi as a mother...] Kaori moved and sat on the cushion next to Kenshin and watched.
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Kenji woke up in an open area, the morning sun blinding him. He sat up and looked around, realizing he was in the temple's cemetery. His eyes widened.
"Why the hell am I in a cemetery?" Kenji asked no one imparticular. He leaned against a tree and sighed. "What's my reason for being here?" He gazed around at the graves with a confused look on his face.
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Hee hee hee hee hee... I'm semi evil, hai? I realize that it's a EVIL cliffhanger, but I seem to be really good at that...
Neko: Demo, it's in the MIDDLE of a dream! Lunar-chan, what are you thinking?
Lunar: Hm... that's a good question... ::Neko sweatdrops:: I'm not really sure, but I can't write anymore cause the caffeine high is wearing off and there are a few comments I have to answer and there's no one to stop me 'cause I locked the annoying ones in the basement and they can't get out.
Neko: Oi vey...
Lunar: Okay, one, I've been getting complaints that the new names are confusing, so being the nice person I am, I'll give you some info.
NAMES!!!! YEA!!!!
Kenshin Himura – Kenji Hirama
Kaoru Kamiya – Kaori Kanama
Aoshi Shinomori – Akito Suzukaze
Misao Makinachi – Mayo Matsuda
Shiro – Shizuo Inao
Kuro – Komi Hirose
Omasu – Osuka Shirai
Okan – Okawa Ando
I hope this helps. Since the others haven't REALLY been revealed, their names aren't here. When I reintroduce them into the story, I will list their names. This list will appear at the end of each chapter along with the Japanese Glossary. Hope I cleared things up!! ^_^
Neko: You're so nice Lunar-chan!
Lunar: ::beams:: I know! ::smiles:: By the way Neko-chan, did you like the little scene after they get out of the rain?
Neko: ::purrs:: Of course! I got to see Kenshin-kun... ::drools:: A LOT of Kenshin-kun...
Lunar: ::sighs:: Oi vey...
FYI: Japanese glossary
Busu: Ugly (Yahiko's nickname for Kaoru)
-dono: suffix. VERY respectful. Kaoru-dono = Miss Kaoru
Baka: Idiot, fool. Kenshin no baka = Kenshin you idiot
Hai: Yes
Minna: Everyone
Gomen ne (nasai): I'm (really) sorry
Ja (ne): See ya (later)
Demo: But
Kowaii: Scary
De gozaru: something Kenshin says after every sentence. It basically repeats what he just said.
Iie: No
Yume: Dream
Well, that's all for now minna! I'll get working on Chapter Four as soon as possible and I promise not to take too long to post it up (if at all possible, I would like to have at least 20 reviews total, so that means I'll post when I get 4 new reviews). Now, PLEASE R + R! ::Big kiss:: Remember; keep the peace, love and ANIME!! JA NE!!!!