Chapter 7. Just a little clarification thing on Soujiro and Shiori:
Yes, they are young. I had hoped I had all ready made it clear no real romance is going to happen between them yet. The other kids are older then her, around 12, so they tease her about the boyfriend thing because she's so passive about the subject. Though she understands the concept of love and all, Shiori just doesn't pay attention to the idea and her interest in dealing with the concept of a boyfriend is nil. Her priorities are else where. Likewise with Soujiro. He's busy enjoying this new peace of mind he's found and how long it's going to last. He's also worried about Kaoru.
The boy Hachiro is jealous for two reasons. One, Soujiro has a close friendship with Shiori and two, he could sense Soujiro's hidden strength. He's jealous of the skills Soujiro has like any boy would be. It actually plays a big part later when...well, you'll have to wait and see why.
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Chapter VII: Gion Festival
Kyoto, June of 1864
Shiori rose an eyebrow, not believing her ears as she dismounted from her horse in front of the Kohagi Inn.
"Nani?" Soujiro asked, quite confused as he stood there blinking at Katsura who had been out front waiting for them to arrive.
"He has actually been very protective of the girl for the past week now," he stated again, skimming through the letter Ikumatsu had sent with Shiori. "Apparently, he was ambushed the night he accompanied her to a tavern for a drink and something happened that made him especially protective of her around the men that night." A slight frown crossed Katsura's lips as he said, "I have a vague idea what might have happened though." Looking up, he blinked once when he noticed both children had all ready dashed off into the inn with a dust cloud trailing behind them. "My, Iizuka was right. He is fast. She got faster too."
* * * * *
"Kaoru-san!"
Kaoru nearly fell back as the two out of breath kids slammed into her with worried looks. "Sou-chan, Shiori-chan!"
"Katsura-san said something happened to you," Soujiro said with a frown, regaining his control. It was one of the few times he ever frowned.
"What those idiots do? Do I have to pound them?" Shiori rambled, rolling up her gi sleeves. Her bandaged feet were all ready itching to track down whoever had hurt Kaoru. Soujiro was willing to as well, though he hid it better then Shiori did. He wanted to find whoever had hurt Kaoru because she was like his older sister -- the one who took care of him all those times he would get beaten during the short month she had been there before they were tossed out. Shiori probably wanted to because it gave her a good reason to try and beat up on the Ishinshishi men she seemed to dislike so much.
Kaoru sweat-dropped at their questions, touched by their concern and a little bit nervous. She really didn't like talking about the subject. "I'm fine. Kenshin dealt with it."
Soujiro and Shiori looked at each other, eyebrows arching together as they asked, "When did they get on a first name basis?"
Kaoru sweat-dropped larger. They looked just like Okami had. Next thing she knew the two of them would be saying something about roses and rain.
"Something wrong?" Kenshin asked, sliding the kitchen door open. His eyebrow shot up when he saw Shiori and Soujiro. "When did you two come?"
"Just now," they both chorused, Shiori glancing at both of the older teens.
"Did something happen while we were away?" she asked, raising an eyebrow when Kaoru then began to twitch nervously and her smile became strained.
"Nothing," Kenshin said sharply, turning to walk out.
Shiori and Soujiro turned to each other again, eyebrows arched higher. Something was up and they were being left out. They didn't like that one bit. What were two kids like them to do about stubborn adults?
* * * * *
"Kaoru," Kenshin called, peering around his room door. He rubbed his head when he saw Kaoru huddled on her futon again, knees drawn up to her chest.
Stubborn girl. She had been like this the whole week -- which he was expecting -- but not once did she let anyone but him see her cry. "Do you always do this?"
"I don't want to worry them," came her small yet watery reply, telling him she was crying again.
Stepping into the room, he quietly shut the door before walking over and squatting down in front of her, brushing the tears away in a silent plea for her not to cry. She only nodded slightly, blinking to stop them but only succeeding in making more fall.
"Gomen ne..." she whispered, wiping her eyes quickly with her kimono sleeve. "I must look like a complete baby..."
"Just take your time and let your scars heal," Kenshin stated, wiping her eyes once more before standing and walking out the door.
Kaoru blinked a few times, staring at his retreating form. Kenshin was still a mystery to her. He seemed so kind yet the mysterious and intimidating aura he gave off never left him. It was annoying and intriguing all at once.
Kaoru shook her head. Maybe this was what her dad had meant by boys giving young girls' like her a headache.
Headache or not Kenshin's cute!, her mind chimed. Kaoru shook her head quicker, shoving those thoughts into the deep corners of her mind along with other memories she didn't want to remember.
She was stressed out. She needed exercise. She needed...
She needed her bokken.
"Now where is it?" she muttered, standing up and sliding a closet full of junk open. Some of their things had been put in here when they had first arrived, but the stuff had piled up and now she had to dig through a bunch of junk until she finally found her precious treasures.
The wooden sword was in better condition then the bamboo one so Kaoru set the shinai down and took a few swings with her bokken. Her father and mother had given the shinai to her the day she had started her training. The bokken had been given to her the day she finished her training and mastered her father's beloved style.
Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. The sword that protects.
A sad smirk crossed her lips. The same sword she couldn't protect her mother and father with.
Kaoru frowned, shaking her head rapidly. No time to think those thoughts. The room was much too small for her to practice efficiently in and she needed to find Okami or Shiori and get some proper practice clothes.
Walking out of the room, Kaoru nearly collided with a sullen looking Tomoe who was going in to sweep.
"Gomen ne Tomoe-san! I didn't see you," Kaoru said.
"Daijoubu Kaoru-chan. Where are you off to?" she asked, eyeing the bokken curiously.
"I was going off to find somewhere private to practice and to find some suitable practice clothes to wear," Kaoru said, looking at Tomoe. Why was she so sad? "What's wrong Tomoe-san?"
Tomoe smiled slightly, shaking her head and stepping into the room. "It's nothing Kaoru-chan. I just didn't get much sleep last night."
Kaoru nodded slowly, though she was still skeptical. Something just seemed funny about that excuse. "All right, well I'll see you at dinner all right? We're on kitchen duty again," she said before going off, waving to Tomoe with a large smile.
Tomoe's smile dropped into a forlorn look as soon as Kaoru disappeared. Such a vibrant girl. She was like the little sister she always wanted. Granted, her little brother was great, but she had always wanted a sister like Kaoru. A cheerful girl who never let anything get her down despite her own feelings. Tomoe's sad look turned sadder. Why did she have to see what she had?
At first she had tried to deny it but the past week had proven her initial thoughts. Unknowingly, Kaoru had become Himura Kenshin's weakness. Tomoe doubted Himura himself knew it but the anger that would boil up in the hitokiri's eyes if one of the men ever gave Kaoru a wrong look said enough.
Tomoe's look saddened even more at her next thoughts, sweeping the room slowly as the sunlight illuminated the room through the open window.
She wasn't sure if she could go through with her plans to kill Himura Kenshin anymore. The Yaminobu would undoubtedly use Kaoru if they found out she was Himura's weakness and Tomoe didn't want that. She could also see the strong connection between Kaoru and Himura and his death would hurt Kaoru a lot which she didn't want either. The night she had seen Kaoru crying to Kenshin had shown her that.
It had also shown her the human side to the young man called Battousai. He had comforted Kaoru, eased her pain and Tomoe couldn't help but tear up at the memory. It had almost been like she were seeing herself with Kiyosato. Whenever she was upset he would take her in his arms and hold her, letting her cry all she wanted and then find a way to ease her pain.
A lone tear fell from her lashes as Tomoe closed her eyes tightly and stood in the middle of the room with her head bowed.
Where once she had a solid decision she now had a problem.
Would she be willing to sacrifice Kaoru's happiness to fulfill her own revenge?
* * * * *
Kenshin peered around the corner of the hallway, looking out at the vacant and spacious area Kaoru had found to practice in. He should have known the girl was a fighter -- a decent one at that -- but why the hell had she come out here alone? Any one of those perverts could have come around and she could have possibly...
Kenshin inwardly smacked himself. Why did he care what happened to her?
"Easy," his mind answered, "...she represents everything you've ever liked in people."
Which was true; the lively spirit, the certain innocence to her -- it all made her so appealing, even though it annoyed him that she refused to let herself cry openly after what had happened. It was a sign of her silent strength that helped keep her composed around everyone -- especially with Shiori and Soujiro here now -- but it also showed her determination to not worry anyone. Always caring for others before herself.
Kenshin unknowingly snorted out loud. Not telling anyone what was wrong only worried Shiori and Soujiro more. He was sure the two kids had caught on to her act.
"Is someone there?" Kaoru called out, stopping mid-swing as she turned her head towards his direction.
Cursing wildly, Kenshin stayed hidden in the shadows, hoping she wouldn't see him.
No such luck.
"Himura-san!" Soujiro called, running over to the now grumbling hitokiri. Damn the boy had good eyesight.
Kaoru glared over at Kenshin who was reluctant to step out from the shadows. Why in the seven corners of hell was he spying on her?
"Takarashiro-san is looking for you!" he chimed, smiling brightly and oblivious to the slightly annoyed look on Kenshin's face.
Kenshin nodded stiffly, thankful for the excuse to get away from the questioning he knew would come later. He could practically feel Kaoru's sapphire orbs staring at his back as he and Soujiro left and the quite un-welcomed heat raced up his neck again.
* * * * *
Kaoru blinked once, staring at the retreating hitokiri and Soujiro. Had he...blushed? Kaoru shook her head. Impossible. She must have been seeing things. He would never blush over her.
"Ah, there you are," she heard Katsura say as he rounded the corner, smiling pleasantly. "I wanted to talk with you Kamiya-san."
"About what?" she asked, setting her bokken down and sitting on the porch.
Katsura sat himself down next to her, taking out some fish food from his gi sleeve and dumping it into the pond next to him. "About Himura."
Kaoru's eyebrow shot up. "What about Kenshin?"
"What do you think of him?" Katsura asked off handedly, eyes peering over at the now quite uncomfortable girl. "In general I mean."
"I don't know...he's a mystery to me still," Kaoru asked, deciding to keep it truthful. It was the truth; he WAS still a mystery to her. A mystery with an amazingly cute...
Kaoru slapped herself inwardly and forced her mind to pay attention to Katsura who was in the middle of talking.
"...when the Tokugawa Shogunate is thrown into disorder, the era shall be overthrown and a new one will be constructed. In the midst of the chaos, Himura was chosen to carry out the cruelest role; a guard for the code of disorder, the same disorder needed to put a stop to this dynasty that has ruled for over 300 years."
"Why are you telling me this?" Kaoru asked once he was finished. Though she had spaced out in the beginning, Kaoru knew what Katsura was basically saying.
Standing, he smiled down at her and said before leaving, "Get to know Himura. I believe it will help him regain his focus on things during his toughest times more then Shiori's presence ever could."
Without another word, Katsura disappeared around the corner to leave for his meeting, leaving a very surprised Kaoru sitting on the porch with her bokken in hand.
* * * * *
Creeping into Kenshin's room quietly, Kaoru sighed, shaking her head as she tried to sort her thoughts. She was mildly surprised to see Kenshin there, leaning near the window sleeping with his clothes a bit wet. He was probably practicing or something.
Grabbing the shawl lying nearby that Okami had given her a few days ago, Kaoru went over to drape it over his shoulders, hoping it would be enough to prevent the cool wind from making him sick.
Kenshin's eyes snapped open, hazy from his sleep as someone distantly familiar came closer. He didn't notice anything but the weapon in their hand and on instinct -- his senses still drowsy -- he drew his katana and pressed the blade to their neck with a menacing look plastered on his face.
Senses cleared moments later as the smell of jasmine assaulted his nose, then the silky feel of the person's ebony hair against his skin came and finally, wide and fear filled sapphires.
Kenshin growled for a moment, mad at himself for not noticing her and slowly let his left hand push his right down, the katana quickly moving away from Kaoru's throat.
Kaoru blinked a few times as the blade lowered, her breathing slowly becoming normal as the momentary fear subsided. Closing her eyes and sighing, she grabbed the shawl and put it in his lap before moving to stand up.
Kenshin took several deep breathes before his momentary lapse of judgment passed, pulling himself together as Kaoru stood. Cursing inwardly at his lack of sense, Kenshin grabbed her wrist lightly uttering a low, "Matte." He couldn't let her walk away, not with what just happened.
"It's OK, I understand," she said softly, averting her gaze. He had answered her question loud and clear.
Without warning Kenshin stood to his feet, pulling Kaoru into a warm embrace. She tensed in surprise, blinking rapidly as his fiery red hair brushed against her cheek. "...Ken...shin?"
"Sumanu Kaoru," he whispered into her ear, Kenshin's hot breath on Kaoru's neck sending a chill down her spine. "I never meant to do that." Moving her back slightly so amethyst could stare into sapphire -- his hands now gently but firmly on her shoulders -- he said resolutely, "Never, under any circumstances, will that happen again."
Kaoru stood there blinking, her head nodding slightly at his words to tell him she understood. Her eyes, however, were still staring into his and she found herself drowning in the most beautiful amethyst eyes she had ever seen. Though a part of her was surprised, her eyes drooped slightly as Kenshin bent his head down, his gaze peering into hers.
His face moved closer, one hand traveling from her shoulder to her cheek as he stroked it lightly with his thumb and tangled his fingers into her long strands of dark silk.
Her eyes drooped more, peering up at his abnormally emotion filled eyes through her lashes.
Just a few more inches and their lips would meld together...
...but fate was not so kind. "Hey Himu-WHOA!" Iizuka yelled, screeching to a halt as the shoji door flew open with a loud *BANG*.
Kaoru jumped away from the disappointed and highly annoyed red head quickly, turning towards the door where Iizuka was still gawking and blinking rapidly, Soujiro and Shiori appearing behind him.
"Kenshin-san! The Ikeda Inn was attacked!" Shiori said, telling what the now gawking and grinning Iizuka could not.
Kenshin's mind changed from cursing Iizuka to hell to all out surprise. "Wasn't that where Katsura-sama and the others were meeting?"
Iizuka, who had finally regained composure, nodded gravely. "Yeah; Katagai and a few others escaped and told us the Shisengumi attacked the Inn. Katsura's location is unknown. There's definitely a traitor amongst us leaking out our plans!"
Amethyst flashed to amber and Kenshin was about to run out the door towards the Ikeda Inn when Iizuka stopped him. "It's too late for you to do any good boy. 3000 Shogunate soldiers have all ready been deployed. If you rush out there it would only make the Ishinshishi's current position worse then it already is."
"But-" Kenshin started in protest, his eyes narrowing at the man holding him back.
Luckily, Shiori intervened before Kenshin could think up an argument. "Don't worry about Katsura-sama," she said, smiling as if she didn't have a care in the world. Only Soujiro could really see how forced it was, having been told about her job. "He's all right."
Narrow amber switched from Iizuka to Shiori, softening slightly in the process. "How do you know?"
"He had sent someone to the Ikeda Inn meeting in his place," she said offhandedly, inwardly frowning when Iizuka's ki jumped. "He's really visiting Ikumatsu-san right now."
Kenshin let out a sigh of relief, glaring at the ground. "All right then. Now what do we do?" he muttered, not too happy about the idea of sitting back and doing nothing but glad Katsura was all right.
"Wait until Katsura gets back. He has most likely all ready heard about what happened and is on his way back as we speak," Iizuka said, sighing.
"Don't worry," Soujiro said, noticing Kaoru's somewhat shocked expression. He gave her shoulder a reassuring pat, his efforts rewarded by her small smile as she reluctantly relaxed. "Are you sick? Your face is all red Kaoru-san."
Not for the first time, someone inwardly cursed Soujiro's sharp senses.
Kenshin only thanked Kami-sama the setting sun was shining through the window, effectively blending his blush in with his hair and it's colorful rays of light. Setting himself down in front of his window and ignoring Iizuka's smirk -- Kenshin sat there staring at the sun, waiting for Katsura to arrive. He could all ready tell things were not going to go in their favor.
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::Ducks various thrown objects:: Gomen ne! It took long to update because of my stupid computer problems! So sorry! Plus I had some unexpected plans pop up so my time to work got interrupted.
::Ducks more heavy objects:: Gomen ne but it wouldn't do to have Kaoru and Kenshin kiss yet!
As you may have noticed, events may be shifted somewhat to fit this timeline.
Notes:
1. The molesting scene in the previous chapter serves a few purposes that will become apparent in later chapters. The men had to go as far as they did for it to serve those purposes.
2. Kaoru's reaction to the molesting from the last chapter. I don't believe Kaoru would be the all out weepy kind of girl who visibly sulks. Being the kind person I believe she is, I picture she would do something like this. She'd hide her tears until she were alone, especially since Soujiro and Shiori are there now. That's why it kind of seems like she isn't reacting much.
3. May I repeat one last time, Soujiro and Shiori are playing the roles of the cute kids right now. No romance YET. Sorry if you don't like reading about them but I do plan to form a relationship between them later and I mean WAY later. Around the time when she's 15 and he's 17.
4. I know I said I'd update weekly...but when I set a time period to update by I always end up going so damn SLOW so the chapters will be out whenever I finish them which I don't know when that will be, though it will be sometime soon.
5. ARIGATOU to those who read and reviewed my originals! I'm so happy! ^-^ I have a separate section for "Watakushi no Aisuru" on my site.
Visit it at http://www.geocities.com/hanagata_kaori/watakushinoaisuru.html
I'm still in the middle of drawing the rest of the characters, scanning them and stuff so bear with me and check it often if you're interested. The regular Rurouni Kenshin part of my site is also being update occasionally. I'll post updates in my author's notes for this when I update "Girl of the Dragon's" and "Watakushi no Aisuru".
P.S.: I hope this story is still entertaining. Please feel free to point out grammatical errors to me. Having no spell check BITES and I always miss something when going over my work a thousand times! Read and Review people!