I am SO happy about how many reviews I'm getting! Since the majority of you want fluff, here it is; K X K fluff with some A X T as well. I didn't want to add too much fluff at once so there's a fair share of drama at the end. (With Soujiro and Shiori) Got to save big fluffy scenes for other moments I have in store! (Like the big kiss which won't come up yet and…well, you'll have to keep reading to see!) The one after this will be the Yaminobu/Tomoe thing…so be prepared for heavy angst and drama in that.
Also, this story will NOT end after the Tomoe/Yaminobu thing…It's FAR from over! I still haven't gotten to Hiko yet! (I swear I can't wait to write that! ::evil snicker:: Poor baka deshi…) Or Saitou and Tokio for that matter… (Can you guess where they will come in?) And the wacky family I give Kenshin (Of course I had to shove them in here somewhere…) Then of course there is the deal with Sou-chan and Shiori… (As I said in an earlier chapter, I WILL pair them up…but later in this story. Both will be older then they are now.)
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Chapter XI: Cold Winter Storm
Otsu, November of 1864
Blankets of white snow fell off the baron trees, the slight sound enough to make Kaoru stir awake on one cold morning in late November. Rubbing her dreary sapphires of fatigue, she wrapped her yukata around herself tightly, going over and sliding open the front door.
"Yuki…" she murmured with a smile while holding her hand out to catch the small flakes that melted once they landed in her warm hands. If she strained her ears, the laughter of children could be heard, most likely playing in the soft white flurries that covered the ground for about 3 inches so far. Unable to resist, she stepped out into the cold and twirled around, laughing joyously as they fell.
From around the corner, Kenshin chuckled quietly, pulling his own dark blue yukata tighter around himself. He had never really liked the cold -- unfortunately, he had inherited his mother's curse of becoming frigidly cold and sometimes sick very easily -- but the first snow of winter always made him happy, despite the tragedy that happened to him eight winter's ago.
She's beautiful, Kenshin thought blissfully, making sure to keep out of Kaoru's sight while she twirled around. He had actually been up for quite a while just watching the flakes descend upon the earth, his thoughts pleasant for once. When she had come out of the girl's room he had hid within the shadows, making sure to hide his presence as well. Kenshin just wanted to watch her in secret for a few moments, silently basking in the warmth she seemed to radiate every blessed day.
Kaoru giggled like a child as she sat down on the porch, protected from the snow by the roof. Brushing the snow off her shoulders and un-wrinkling her now slightly damp yukata, she turned to stare into the shadows where Kenshin was. "You can come out Kenshin."
Kaoru had known he was there for quite some time, though not by his ki or from seeing him. He had used the shadows for cover -- how his red hair didn't show mystified her -- and hidden his presence quite well -- he was a hitokiri after all; those were basics for him -- but he couldn't hide his smell. Kenshin always had a distinct smell of sandalwood that she could pick up easily, melting her mind to mush every time he was close enough for her to catch a sniff of it.
Kenshin nearly dropped face first into the ground as he stepped out from the shadows and joined her outside. "How did you know?"
"I could smell your scent," she said, giggling when his expression turned a perturbed, "It's hard to miss."
"Sou ka…" he murmured, leaning against the beam she was propping herself on and staring at the falling particles, "Why are you up so early?"
"I don't know; I just am," she said casually, pulling her yukata closer to herself. It was still damp and the cool wind that was blowing wasn't helping to keep her warm in the least. "Why are you up?"
"To think," Kenshin said, frowning when he saw her shiver, "Are you cold Kaoru?"
"Just a little but I'll be fine," she replied, turning to cast Kenshin a brilliant smile. He obviously didn't believe her, his frown deepening.
A small part of him smirked at her stubborn nature but the rest of him frowned. She obviously didn't want to go inside and no amount of his reprimands would persuade her otherwise. I'll be damned to hell if I let her freeze. Setting himself down behind her, he leaned up against the wooden beam and took her into his arms, pulling her body into his lap.
Heat coursed through Kaoru's body as she almost instantaneously sunk into his hold, biting back the sigh of contentment she wished to release. His body was warm and heated her chilled one quickly, his arms wrapped around her arms securely so she couldn't get up. It felt so nice…so…right to be held by him like this, sitting in a comfortable silence as they watched the snow fall. It's almost like were a couple of lovers…
As soon as she thought that, a new scarlet blush shot up to her cheeks.
"Kaoru," Kenshin said, "Daijoubu ga? You're red."
"Daijoubu desu!" she exclaimed, perhaps a bit too loudly. Kenshin chuckled as she became even more embarrassed, resting his chin on her head.
"You're so cute Kaoru," he murmured almost inaudibly, not even thinking that she might hear him.
Hear him she did. Kaoru immediately tensed upon hearing his words, the once decreasing blush rising back to her whole face full force. He thinks I'm cute? Smiling amongst her embarrassment, Kaoru rested her head on his shoulder and buried her face in the crook of his neck. So nice and warm…he smells like the forest almost…
A gentle smile played on Kenshin's lips as he hugged Kaoru closer to him, savoring the feeling rushing through his body. It was warmth that he felt every time she graced him with just a simple touch, though it had been stronger when she had kissed his cheek that one time. I like it, he decided silently, I like this warmth she always gives me…I don't want to lose it or her. "Kaoru?"
A small mumble -- as if to ask what he wanted -- answered his question and Kenshin belatedly noticed she was falling back to sleep in his arms. "Kenshin?"
"Hai?" he queried, looking down into her half open eyes.
"I…I…" her voice drifted as her eyes finally closed, unable to stay awake.
Chuckling, Kenshin stood up with her in his arms, Kaoru automatically curling closer to him. He was more then happy to cuddle her closer just a little longer, letting his lips brush against her forehead as they stood outside her and Tomoe's room door. "Sleep well Kaoru…I…well…" Sighing, Kenshin shook his head. It wouldn't do; he wanted her to be awake when he said it.
Sliding the shoji open with his foot, he walked in and gently laid Kaoru onto her futon, pulling her covers up to her chin before smiling at Tomoe -- who was up writing in her journal -- as if to silently say, "Ohayo gozaimasu."
Tomoe returned the gesture, adding in a brief wave before watching him walk out of the small room. Sighing, she turned back to her journal, dipping the brush into her ink bottle before finishing the entry she had been working on.
"…I promise I'll protect them. Even if Himura-san robbed me of happiness with you here on earth, Akira, I don't want Kaoru-chan to suffer like I did after your death. I can see she loves Himura-san dearly. I'll stop the Yaminobu from killing him when I meet them next week…even if they kill me for it. I know you'd do the same ~~~ Yukishiro Tomoe"
A gentle breeze filtered in again, caressing Tomoe's cheek as she closed her eyes with a small smile. "Will you always watch over me Akira-kun?"
Tomoe could swear she heard him say, "Ah…Zutto de gozaimasu…I will see you soon…aisuru…"
Sighing, Tomoe shut her journal, tears rimming her eyelids as she shut them. She missed Akira; missed him even more then she did before. The gentle breeze didn't leave as it caressed her skin, as if stroking her cheek to try and dry the tears falling. I want to see you Akira…I want you to hold me and tell me it will be all right in the end… When she received no answer but the continual caress that did calm her somewhat, she continued silently praying. The Yaminobu won't like this change of plans…Tell me it will be all right Akira…I need to hear your voice, see your face…you could always reassure me that all would be well by a simple silly smile. Opening her eyes and preparing to slip back into her futon for a little more rest, her eyes widened when she saw him, standing there with that same silly smile she recalled in her dreams. Rubbing her eyes -- thinking it was a mirage again -- a rare genuine smile filtered to her lips when he didn't disappear.
"It will all end well, aisuru," he spoke, kneeling in front of her and holding a pink blossom. Tomoe's whole body shook when his hand came to stroke her cheek, the surprising coolness of fingers brushing against her porcelain skin. As she fell forward -- more or less in shock -- he gathered her in his arms, his body so real.
"Akira…Is it really you?" she whispered, her cheek resting against his chest. He felt so real but he was dead, his life taken from him by the boy sleeping in the room just across the hall. "Are you really here?"
"Shortly, aisuru," he responded gently, stroking her hair that was loose and falling down her back, "I miss you too Tomoe..."
"Everything will be all right, Akira, ne?" she whispered, closing her eyes and savoring the moment. Dream or not…I want to enjoy this while it lasts.
"The Yaminobu will fall," Akira said, an unknown scowl appearing on his lips briefly, "And then you will be happy."
"Wakatta ne…" Tomoe crawled out of his arms and settled on her futon, smiling when his lips brushed against her forehead and he brought the blanket over her. "Will you stay Akira? Just until I fall asleep; onegai?"
His eyes turned spaced, as if he were talking with someone in his head, before nodding. "All right, I'll stay until you fall asleep."
Smiling in earnest, Tomoe closed her eyes and held onto his transparent hand, letting her dreams whisk her consciousness from reality. As Akira stroked her hair and waited for a sign that she was completely out of it, he sighed when he had to go, glancing at Tomoe lovingly before fading from sight.
* * * * *
Lake Biwa, November of 1864
Shiori frowned as she held out her hand and watched the snow fall harsher against the earth, all view of the lake in front of her cabin or anything within 5 feet of her blocked by the thick white veil.
Normally, she loved the first snow of winter. It brought back fond memories of her family -- the one back in Edo -- and her nephews and nieces, though the thought of being an aunt at eight did still disturb her. Right now, however, she found that she couldn't smile in earnest. She could force it, but for who?
That strange, eerie and uncomfortable feeling was settling in her stomach again. The feeling never failed to put her in a subdued mood, her tone rigid whenever she talked. It was days like these that she avoided talking with Kana and the others, lest she snap at them for no reason. She had, in fact, snapped at Soujiro this morning over some little thing she couldn't even remember.
A long, annoyed sigh escaped her chapped lips. Her feeling of impending danger had grown larger then it had the night before the Kohagi Inn had collapsed. She could never pinpoint what kind of danger it was; she didn't have skills like that. All she ever knew was something bad would happen within a week when the feeling was at its highest. So, when the intense feeling came, she secluded herself from everyone, sitting there scowling at herself for not being able to do anything and for not knowing what was happening or going to happen around her. Bringing her knees to her chest, Shiori wrapped her arms around them, resting her forehead against her kneecaps. Not for the first time, she swore her finely tuned instincts and the revolution that had made her like this. If only she had stayed home in Edo with her mother and the rest…if only she hadn't come to Kyoto and destroyed her last chance to be a normal girl.
Soujiro kept glancing at the shut door of the small home, sighing when he felt the edginess in Shiori's normally peaceful ki expand. She had been miffed about him burning breakfast -- thus scaring the living daylights out of her when she was awoken by the smoke -- and had blown up in a rage he hadn't ever seen anyone have. She made Kaoru in her worst fits of anger look like a mouse -- an accomplishment no one to his recollection had ever done. Mid-rant she had stopped however, her eyes suddenly dying to a dull nothingness before she ran outside where she had been ever since.
In all honesty, Soujiro had no idea what to do. He wanted to help, but the friction and edginess he felt coming from her indicated she would most likely dislike any move of help. He wanted to ask her what was wrong with her, yet his practical mind stopped him. She would only lash out at him if he tried. Groaning in frustration, Soujiro sat on his futon, complaining about mood swings all girls' seemed to be prone to take.
* * * * *
It had been hours and Soujiro was worried. Shiori still hadn't come in from thinking on the porch outside and it was almost dark. The cabin was freezing and even colder outside. If he remembered right, Shiori had been in her customary gi and socks when she had ran outside, no additional warmth brought with her. Padding over to the door, he slid it opened, not caring anymore if she blew up at him again.
"Takarashiro-san," he said though Soujiro's voice still sounded unsure. Pale sapphires dropped in dismay as his suspicions were confirmed, Shiori huddled close to herself. "Takarashiro-san, you should-"
"Don't call me that," she snapped, her voice drowned out by the howling winds and her sleeve. Her tone was the same edgy one she had that morning, though the thing that surprised Soujiro more then anything was the tears flowing freely from her eyes, her cheeks red from the salty water that had frozen.
"Takarashiro-san…you should come inside…it's cold and you're all ready sick," Soujiro said, noticing the shudders her body was giving off.
"No…" Soujiro opened his mouth to immediately protest but Shiori finished her sentence before he could. "…Don't call me 'Takarashiro-san' anymore. I don't want to feel older."
Question marks could clearly be seen on Soujiro's head. "Are you all right Ta…" He stopped when he noticed her posture go rigid. "I mean…Shiori-san?"
The slightly more familiar name seemed to appease her, Shiori's shoulders slumping back as they relaxed. "I'm not…" she whispered in a voice that was too eerie for Soujiro's liking. A cold shudder ran down his back and it wasn't from the cold winds and the snow storm. "I'm not all right…I want to be home…away from the fighting…"
Soujiro didn't know how to respond. Deciding to question her once they were inside the slightly warmer cabin, Soujiro dragged -- carried would probably be a better term for it though -- Shiori inside. He shut the door and set Shiori into her futon that was cold from not being used all day, giving her his blanket that had been over him. Shiori absently wrapped it around herself, dull amethyst-sapphire's trailing Soujiro as he went to get the spare for himself.
"What's bothering you Ta…" It would take some getting used to. "Shiori-san?"
Shiori began to shake, though Soujiro didn't know if it was from being cold or not. "I miss being normal…"
Soujiro was quite confused. "You ARE normal Shiori-san."
Her pointed look was even more skeptical then usual. "How many 8-year-olds do you know of that fight and act like an emotionless samurai, work with a powerful clan and have to live alone?"
Soujiro sweat-dropped; he couldn't deny that.
"I blew my chance to be normal coming here…Going to Kyoto…" she said pitifully, "I want my chance back…I don't want to be the mature girl I have to be now…"
If there was one thing Soujiro didn't know how to handle, it was a crying girl. Completely confused on how to comfort his friend, Soujiro did what Kaoru usually did for him when he was sad, wrapping his arms around Shiori in a hug.
The embrace was enough to quiet her cries, head burying itself in Soujiro's shoulder, darkening the fabric of his green yukata with her tears. "Seta-san? Can I call you Soujiro-san?"
"If you want," he said, relieved that the edginess was slowly mellowing. It was still in her voice and he could feel it in her ki, but it was being tamed now.
"I have a feeling danger is coming…" she said, "It's why I'm edgy…Gomen nasai for snapping at you…"
"Maybe we should visit Himura-san and Kaoru-san too. They could help you with this," Soujiro suggested. Silently he added, I have no idea what to do…Gomen nasai…I can't help…
"I guess…" Shiori said quietly, her tears halting. She didn't let go of her friend though, the embrace somewhat soothing. I guess it's true when they say you're not too old for a hug… "Arigatou gozaimasu for being my friend…Soujiro-san…"
"Dou itashimashite," he said blinking when she suddenly went limp. A small chuckle rose out of his throat when he heard her start to snore. "Oyasumi nasai Shiori-san…everything will be all right…you'll see."
Soujiro mentally sighed; now if only his feeling of danger would go away, he'd believe that too.
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End Chapter 11! I got this done pretty fast, ne? Arigatou gozaimasu for all the reviews! I know you all probably wanted a kiss and confession but that's TOO predictable to me. I like surprising readers so bear with me and be patient! Now go leave a review and get me inspired so I get 12 done soon!