Disclaimer: Nobuhiro Watsuki is the owner of Rurouni Kenshin and all of its characters.
A/N: Lucky~! We have new reviewers! ^_____^ Thanks for all your support everybody! I hope you will enjoy this chapter...
Mini note: Kenshin and Kaoru are the same age in this fic!! (Around 25-26, to be exact...)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kenshin sat at a table outside 'La Petit Cuillere" along la rue, glancing at his watch. 4:30. He clutched the little umbrella preciously as he waited.
And finally, fifteen minutes later...
He saw Kaoru running towards him from the distance, wearing a pair of jeans and a beige wool sweater, her feet in a pair of comfortable looking dark blue sneakers. A grin came across her face as she saw his patient figure, looking at her from the table.
"Kenshin!"
Kenshin smiled back at her as she came hurriedly jogging to the table.
"Kaoru-dono!"
Panting, she sat down on the chair across from him at the table, and paused to catch her breath. Then began talking so rapidly it was slightly hard to comprehend her words, but he understood her otherwise.
"I'm so sorry, my boss didn't let me out until a little later and I couldn't find a taxi, so I had to wait another ten minutes just to catch one, and then he dropped me off a little farther than I wanted, so it took me a bit of time. Did you wait long?"
Chuckling to himself in his mind, he shook his head.
"I knew you were busy. There's no need to worry. Shall we eat?"
Smiling at him gratefully, she called for menus. Together, they enjoyed a wonderful time exchanging knowledge about themselves, making themselves more curious about the other at the same time. Once they were finished eating, Kenshin paid for the meal, although Kaoru insisted, and she finally stood from her chair.
"Do you have any plans after this?"
"No, not currently."
She grabbed his hand and smiled.
"Can I take you some place? I want you to see this."
Slightly surprised, he nodded in consent, and hand in hand they walked down la rue. Just like the countless elegant couples around them...
Kaoru led him into a forest, now far away from the busy streets behind them. Golden silence seemed to cloak the woods as the birds sung melodies of various tones. Their footsteps stopped in a little clearing, where the trees above parted to allow sunlight to flood in. In Kenshin's eyes, it was like a room, full of peace and luxury like no other fancy hotel in Paris could provide. Nature's magic...
"Isn't it pretty? I found this place very recently while exploring in my free time."
She leaned against a boulder that rested in the middle of the clearing, and he sat down next to her. Both took in the sounds around them for a while, until Kaoru broke the silence.
"Kenshin, when will you be going back to Japan?"
Bewildered at her question, he thought about it. Ever since he'd met Kaoru, he hadn't even thought about leaving. It was a hard thought.
"I leave... the day after tomorrow..."
Her head suddenly turned towards him, and he saw a flicker of sadness float across her face.
"So...soon?"
Smiling sadly, he nodded. If it was so hard for him to bear this, how could she be feeling right now?
Sighing, she sadly smiled back at him.
"Are you headed back for Tokyo?"
He shook his head.
"I am planning to stop at Kyoto before I do."
Her eyes brightened for a second, and dimmed immediately as she shook her head.
"That's alright, we can keep in touch. I was hoping we'd have the same flight together on the way back."
"When do you go back?"
"I leave in four days, stay in Kyoto for three days, and come back to Paris. Then, I'll get a weeks break."
He bowed his head. There was no hope for them to meet. Once he was back in Tokyo, it was training time all over again.
"Will...I be able to see you again tomorrow?"
Startled, she looked at him with those sapphire eyes, with an indescribable emotion written in them.
"I-I'm afraid not...I have a whole-day duty tomorrow."
She stood up and dusted herself off, giving her his hand to help him up.
"I guess this is good-bye, then..."
"I can walk you down to the streets..."
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I can't hug you in public. May I?"
She outstretched her arms for an embrace. Shyly, he took her in his arms and hugged her back. There was a jolt that went between them, and they found themselves remaining that way for a few more seconds than expected. Reluctantly, he pulled away and walked her down to the streets.
They exchanged phone numbers and addresses on pieces of paper, and with a firm farewell written in each others' faces, they turned in opposite directions, with Kenshin holding down a silent heartbreak with a manly resistance...
* * *
Over at the flower shop, Sano stood behind the counter looking dazed and tired as he rested his elbow on the hard surface. The tinkle of the bell on the door got him up, and he saw the elegant sight of an attractive woman, with her leather coat and gloves, and a burgundy dress and black boots beneath. Her matching scarf covered her face up to her nose. Her eyes flickered with a smile.
"Good evening, Sanosuke."
He stared at her at first, and then a single eyebrow was raised.
"Oi, Megumi?"
She pulled off her scarf and draped it over her arm as she walked to the counter. She rested her elbows on the counter across from him, and looked directly into his face.
"Long time no see."
He rocked in his stool and gave her an expressionless look.
"No kidding. How've you been?"
"Busy. I'll tell you that."
"You always say that. Why haven't you written?"
She sighed impatiently.
"It's not like I can sit down and write when I have patients complaining behind my back, Sano. I at least emailed you a few times..."
He smirked.
"Whatever."
He lightly smacked the counter with a hand, and stood up straight.
"So, what'll it be?"
She smiled at him mischievously.
"Treat me to a single rose and I'll tell you."
He chuckled to himself and childishly frowned at her.
"C'mon kitsune, I hate to be played with..."
She stroked her hair lightly as she spoke.
"It's nothing really, just dropped by to chat."
"What would you like to discuss, then?"
She gave him a glance.
"Have you noticed anything about Kaoru-chan, lately?"
He cocked his head.
"Jou-chan? No, not really. Why?"
She rested her chin on her hand and looked sideways.
"No, she just said some weird thing last night. She was probably just tired."
Sano shook out his hair.
"That's nothing new, really. What was she talking about?"
Megumi closed her eyes and sighed.
"Something about people with flaming red hair and amethyst eyes."
Sano paused, and laughed aloud in his mind, and hid a smile from her. This was just one interesting pair...those friends of his...
"Whoop, closing time, I guess I should wrap up."
"Shall I help you?"
Megumi gave him a whatever-I-might-as-well look, and he waved a hand at her.
"I'll treat you to a cup o' coffee later."
"Do you even have cash?"
"I got lucky today."
"Alright."
With that, they cleared up the flower shop and blew out the candles. Locking the door, they walked down the street, chatting friendly with the sun set behind them.
* * *
Misao and Aoshi had been sharing a single hotel room for the past few days. Of course, there were two beds, and Misao didn't seem to mind. Neither did Aoshi.
"Aoshi-sama, what are we going to do once we go back home to Kyoto?"
Misao counted up her cash as she sat on the bed across from Aoshi's. He was sitting up in his, reading the newspaper, and paused as she asked the question.
"We need to bring Himura to the Aoiya. Okina wants to see him."
Misao grinned, suddenly.
"So, Kenshin's coming back to Kyoto with us?"
He nodded silently, and she grinned to herself as she continued counting.
* * *
Another day went by, and now Kenshin was once again, in his bed, reading his book. He couldn't concentrate. He was leaving tomorrow morning, and the thought of leaving Paris strained at his heart. He paused from his reading as he stared blankly at the wall across from him. Sano was already asleep, after exchanging a manly farewell glance and grunt, and punching him lightly in the shoulder. Kenshin will be leaving at 4:00 am, and he knew that Sano would need the rest to work the next day. He switched off the light, lying back against his pillow as he stared outside the window again. The sparkling gems of lights beneath him began to blur, and he fell asleep.
* * *
The next morning, dawn greeted him gloomily as gray clouds hovered above the city. He quickly dressed and prepared himself, noiselessly walking to and fro around the room. In the end, he set his bags outside the door, and walked next to Sano's sleeping figure. He smiled down at his friend, sleeping exhaustedly, and placed a few coins on the bed stand next to him.
"It was good to see you again. Sano."
With that, he turned around and left the room, silently closing the door behind him. Sano rolled over in his bed, muttering curses and his hand slapped down on the bed stand, waking with a jolt at the touch of cold, hard coins.
"Kenshin...you nimrod..."
* * *
Misao slept soundly in the taxi, leaning against Aoshi's shoulder as they drove to the airport. Kenshin stared out the window, remembering every single spot he visited as they drove by. The driver helped them with their luggage, and they went walking into the airport. Once they were checked in, they all sat in leather seats at the gate as Kenshin came back with a tray of coffee. Misao smiled up at him sleepily.
"Thanks, Himura."
He smiled as he handed her a cup. Aoshi sipped his quietly as Kenshin seated himself.
Twenty minutes later, the time for boarding came along, and the three of them stood in line. Before giving his ticket to the woman in charge, he turned around, giving Paris one last glance, until suddenly he saw her. She was running across the tile in her high heels, dressed in her uniform, her hair flying. His eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to call out to her, but he couldn't get himself to say anything. She'd already turned around the corner.
And with a aching sadness, he turned and gave the woman his ticket, and stalked after Aoshi and Misao into the airplane.
* * *
That night, Kaoru was sitting up in bed, her hands behind her head as she lay on her pillow. Megumi was brushing out her hair on the bed next to her. Her brush suddenly stopped as she faced Kaoru to look at her intently.
"Kaoru-chan, is something bothering you?"
Her head suddenly turned to her in surprise, her expression startled. Blushing, she shook her head.
"No, not really."
Megumi sighed.
"That doesn't sound so convincing."
Kaoru turned her body so that she was facing her directly.
"Fine, there is a problem..."
Setting down her brush on the bed stand, she stretched out on her bed as she rested her head on her elbow, which was propped on her pillow.
"I'm listening."
Kaoru sighed as she began. She stroked her arm as she related her story about Kenshin. That previous day, what had meant to be a friendly hug had somehow turned into something different. She told her about the warmth, the friendliness, and the way that her openness felt even wider when he smiled. It was an odd sensation. Perhaps it was a crush, but is that it? Is this really what a crush should feel like? In her mind, she didn't think so...
She finally finished. Megumi had her eyes closed, her eyelashes twitching as if in deep thought.
"Megumi-san?"
Megumi opened her eyes. A look of wisdom was embedded deep into their pupils, and a smile had crept up onto her lips. She silently chuckled to herself.
She was so naïve...
"Megumi-san, what's wrong?"
She shook her head, as she stood up and sat down next to Kaoru on her bed. She gently placed an arm on her shoulder, staring directly into her eyes.
"Kaoru-chan, what do you think when you see this person?"
Kaoru thought intently.
"H-He's kind, he's polite, he's-I-I don't..."
"Think harder."
"He's...fun to be with. He makes me feel like...the true me..."
Megumi shook her head, and persisted farther.
"Illustrate that. Paint it."
"I feel happy when I see him, I feel-"
"Drive that brush into the canvas, Kaoru. Keep going."
She shut her eyes tight and thought.
"I feel free when I'm with him, I like to see him, I want to be like him, I-"
"You're caging yourself up, Kaoru. Can't you see? Open your mind."
An invisible tear slid down from a single sapphire eye.
She froze, her eyes gaping open in a sudden realization. Megumi looked at her with a calm, gentle face, with her hand squeezing her arm.
"I love him."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Thus ends chapter 5!! ^____^ Just wanted to thank all you readers, and I really hope you are enjoying my writing!! Hope you drop me a friendly note!
~Momori^^
A/N: Lucky~! We have new reviewers! ^_____^ Thanks for all your support everybody! I hope you will enjoy this chapter...
Mini note: Kenshin and Kaoru are the same age in this fic!! (Around 25-26, to be exact...)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kenshin sat at a table outside 'La Petit Cuillere" along la rue, glancing at his watch. 4:30. He clutched the little umbrella preciously as he waited.
And finally, fifteen minutes later...
He saw Kaoru running towards him from the distance, wearing a pair of jeans and a beige wool sweater, her feet in a pair of comfortable looking dark blue sneakers. A grin came across her face as she saw his patient figure, looking at her from the table.
"Kenshin!"
Kenshin smiled back at her as she came hurriedly jogging to the table.
"Kaoru-dono!"
Panting, she sat down on the chair across from him at the table, and paused to catch her breath. Then began talking so rapidly it was slightly hard to comprehend her words, but he understood her otherwise.
"I'm so sorry, my boss didn't let me out until a little later and I couldn't find a taxi, so I had to wait another ten minutes just to catch one, and then he dropped me off a little farther than I wanted, so it took me a bit of time. Did you wait long?"
Chuckling to himself in his mind, he shook his head.
"I knew you were busy. There's no need to worry. Shall we eat?"
Smiling at him gratefully, she called for menus. Together, they enjoyed a wonderful time exchanging knowledge about themselves, making themselves more curious about the other at the same time. Once they were finished eating, Kenshin paid for the meal, although Kaoru insisted, and she finally stood from her chair.
"Do you have any plans after this?"
"No, not currently."
She grabbed his hand and smiled.
"Can I take you some place? I want you to see this."
Slightly surprised, he nodded in consent, and hand in hand they walked down la rue. Just like the countless elegant couples around them...
Kaoru led him into a forest, now far away from the busy streets behind them. Golden silence seemed to cloak the woods as the birds sung melodies of various tones. Their footsteps stopped in a little clearing, where the trees above parted to allow sunlight to flood in. In Kenshin's eyes, it was like a room, full of peace and luxury like no other fancy hotel in Paris could provide. Nature's magic...
"Isn't it pretty? I found this place very recently while exploring in my free time."
She leaned against a boulder that rested in the middle of the clearing, and he sat down next to her. Both took in the sounds around them for a while, until Kaoru broke the silence.
"Kenshin, when will you be going back to Japan?"
Bewildered at her question, he thought about it. Ever since he'd met Kaoru, he hadn't even thought about leaving. It was a hard thought.
"I leave... the day after tomorrow..."
Her head suddenly turned towards him, and he saw a flicker of sadness float across her face.
"So...soon?"
Smiling sadly, he nodded. If it was so hard for him to bear this, how could she be feeling right now?
Sighing, she sadly smiled back at him.
"Are you headed back for Tokyo?"
He shook his head.
"I am planning to stop at Kyoto before I do."
Her eyes brightened for a second, and dimmed immediately as she shook her head.
"That's alright, we can keep in touch. I was hoping we'd have the same flight together on the way back."
"When do you go back?"
"I leave in four days, stay in Kyoto for three days, and come back to Paris. Then, I'll get a weeks break."
He bowed his head. There was no hope for them to meet. Once he was back in Tokyo, it was training time all over again.
"Will...I be able to see you again tomorrow?"
Startled, she looked at him with those sapphire eyes, with an indescribable emotion written in them.
"I-I'm afraid not...I have a whole-day duty tomorrow."
She stood up and dusted herself off, giving her his hand to help him up.
"I guess this is good-bye, then..."
"I can walk you down to the streets..."
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I can't hug you in public. May I?"
She outstretched her arms for an embrace. Shyly, he took her in his arms and hugged her back. There was a jolt that went between them, and they found themselves remaining that way for a few more seconds than expected. Reluctantly, he pulled away and walked her down to the streets.
They exchanged phone numbers and addresses on pieces of paper, and with a firm farewell written in each others' faces, they turned in opposite directions, with Kenshin holding down a silent heartbreak with a manly resistance...
* * *
Over at the flower shop, Sano stood behind the counter looking dazed and tired as he rested his elbow on the hard surface. The tinkle of the bell on the door got him up, and he saw the elegant sight of an attractive woman, with her leather coat and gloves, and a burgundy dress and black boots beneath. Her matching scarf covered her face up to her nose. Her eyes flickered with a smile.
"Good evening, Sanosuke."
He stared at her at first, and then a single eyebrow was raised.
"Oi, Megumi?"
She pulled off her scarf and draped it over her arm as she walked to the counter. She rested her elbows on the counter across from him, and looked directly into his face.
"Long time no see."
He rocked in his stool and gave her an expressionless look.
"No kidding. How've you been?"
"Busy. I'll tell you that."
"You always say that. Why haven't you written?"
She sighed impatiently.
"It's not like I can sit down and write when I have patients complaining behind my back, Sano. I at least emailed you a few times..."
He smirked.
"Whatever."
He lightly smacked the counter with a hand, and stood up straight.
"So, what'll it be?"
She smiled at him mischievously.
"Treat me to a single rose and I'll tell you."
He chuckled to himself and childishly frowned at her.
"C'mon kitsune, I hate to be played with..."
She stroked her hair lightly as she spoke.
"It's nothing really, just dropped by to chat."
"What would you like to discuss, then?"
She gave him a glance.
"Have you noticed anything about Kaoru-chan, lately?"
He cocked his head.
"Jou-chan? No, not really. Why?"
She rested her chin on her hand and looked sideways.
"No, she just said some weird thing last night. She was probably just tired."
Sano shook out his hair.
"That's nothing new, really. What was she talking about?"
Megumi closed her eyes and sighed.
"Something about people with flaming red hair and amethyst eyes."
Sano paused, and laughed aloud in his mind, and hid a smile from her. This was just one interesting pair...those friends of his...
"Whoop, closing time, I guess I should wrap up."
"Shall I help you?"
Megumi gave him a whatever-I-might-as-well look, and he waved a hand at her.
"I'll treat you to a cup o' coffee later."
"Do you even have cash?"
"I got lucky today."
"Alright."
With that, they cleared up the flower shop and blew out the candles. Locking the door, they walked down the street, chatting friendly with the sun set behind them.
* * *
Misao and Aoshi had been sharing a single hotel room for the past few days. Of course, there were two beds, and Misao didn't seem to mind. Neither did Aoshi.
"Aoshi-sama, what are we going to do once we go back home to Kyoto?"
Misao counted up her cash as she sat on the bed across from Aoshi's. He was sitting up in his, reading the newspaper, and paused as she asked the question.
"We need to bring Himura to the Aoiya. Okina wants to see him."
Misao grinned, suddenly.
"So, Kenshin's coming back to Kyoto with us?"
He nodded silently, and she grinned to herself as she continued counting.
* * *
Another day went by, and now Kenshin was once again, in his bed, reading his book. He couldn't concentrate. He was leaving tomorrow morning, and the thought of leaving Paris strained at his heart. He paused from his reading as he stared blankly at the wall across from him. Sano was already asleep, after exchanging a manly farewell glance and grunt, and punching him lightly in the shoulder. Kenshin will be leaving at 4:00 am, and he knew that Sano would need the rest to work the next day. He switched off the light, lying back against his pillow as he stared outside the window again. The sparkling gems of lights beneath him began to blur, and he fell asleep.
* * *
The next morning, dawn greeted him gloomily as gray clouds hovered above the city. He quickly dressed and prepared himself, noiselessly walking to and fro around the room. In the end, he set his bags outside the door, and walked next to Sano's sleeping figure. He smiled down at his friend, sleeping exhaustedly, and placed a few coins on the bed stand next to him.
"It was good to see you again. Sano."
With that, he turned around and left the room, silently closing the door behind him. Sano rolled over in his bed, muttering curses and his hand slapped down on the bed stand, waking with a jolt at the touch of cold, hard coins.
"Kenshin...you nimrod..."
* * *
Misao slept soundly in the taxi, leaning against Aoshi's shoulder as they drove to the airport. Kenshin stared out the window, remembering every single spot he visited as they drove by. The driver helped them with their luggage, and they went walking into the airport. Once they were checked in, they all sat in leather seats at the gate as Kenshin came back with a tray of coffee. Misao smiled up at him sleepily.
"Thanks, Himura."
He smiled as he handed her a cup. Aoshi sipped his quietly as Kenshin seated himself.
Twenty minutes later, the time for boarding came along, and the three of them stood in line. Before giving his ticket to the woman in charge, he turned around, giving Paris one last glance, until suddenly he saw her. She was running across the tile in her high heels, dressed in her uniform, her hair flying. His eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to call out to her, but he couldn't get himself to say anything. She'd already turned around the corner.
And with a aching sadness, he turned and gave the woman his ticket, and stalked after Aoshi and Misao into the airplane.
* * *
That night, Kaoru was sitting up in bed, her hands behind her head as she lay on her pillow. Megumi was brushing out her hair on the bed next to her. Her brush suddenly stopped as she faced Kaoru to look at her intently.
"Kaoru-chan, is something bothering you?"
Her head suddenly turned to her in surprise, her expression startled. Blushing, she shook her head.
"No, not really."
Megumi sighed.
"That doesn't sound so convincing."
Kaoru turned her body so that she was facing her directly.
"Fine, there is a problem..."
Setting down her brush on the bed stand, she stretched out on her bed as she rested her head on her elbow, which was propped on her pillow.
"I'm listening."
Kaoru sighed as she began. She stroked her arm as she related her story about Kenshin. That previous day, what had meant to be a friendly hug had somehow turned into something different. She told her about the warmth, the friendliness, and the way that her openness felt even wider when he smiled. It was an odd sensation. Perhaps it was a crush, but is that it? Is this really what a crush should feel like? In her mind, she didn't think so...
She finally finished. Megumi had her eyes closed, her eyelashes twitching as if in deep thought.
"Megumi-san?"
Megumi opened her eyes. A look of wisdom was embedded deep into their pupils, and a smile had crept up onto her lips. She silently chuckled to herself.
She was so naïve...
"Megumi-san, what's wrong?"
She shook her head, as she stood up and sat down next to Kaoru on her bed. She gently placed an arm on her shoulder, staring directly into her eyes.
"Kaoru-chan, what do you think when you see this person?"
Kaoru thought intently.
"H-He's kind, he's polite, he's-I-I don't..."
"Think harder."
"He's...fun to be with. He makes me feel like...the true me..."
Megumi shook her head, and persisted farther.
"Illustrate that. Paint it."
"I feel happy when I see him, I feel-"
"Drive that brush into the canvas, Kaoru. Keep going."
She shut her eyes tight and thought.
"I feel free when I'm with him, I like to see him, I want to be like him, I-"
"You're caging yourself up, Kaoru. Can't you see? Open your mind."
An invisible tear slid down from a single sapphire eye.
She froze, her eyes gaping open in a sudden realization. Megumi looked at her with a calm, gentle face, with her hand squeezing her arm.
"I love him."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Thus ends chapter 5!! ^____^ Just wanted to thank all you readers, and I really hope you are enjoying my writing!! Hope you drop me a friendly note!
~Momori^^