Disclaimer: Nobuhiro Watsuki is the owner of Rurouni Kenshin and all of its characters.
A/N: WAAAAAI!! Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews! Of course, this is my first romance fic, and I'm glad it's going better then I was hoping! ^___^ Thank you!! And alas, will Enishi become a wall between two lovers? Ah, continue reading...
Mini note: Kenshin and Kaoru are the SAME AGE!!!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Okaerinasai, Enishi-san."
He nodded to Tae and seated himself across from Kaoru without averting his gaze. She softened her eyes and smiled as if meeting for the first time. But Tae couldn't help sensing the tension, and strove to ease it up.
"Oh, Enishi-san you must be boiling in that coat! Here, let me take it for you, and go make yourself comfortable in your room-"
As she outstretched her arms to take his coat, he shook his head and motioned her to stop. And giving one last glance at Kaoru, he stood up and slumbered upstairs. Throughout all this, Tsubame couldn't help but tremble in the corner, her hand still covering her mouth in nervousness. Kaoru patted her back and allowed her to lean on her shoulder, questioning her what was wrong and that Enishi meant no harm. Tae sighed as she poured more tea.
"He's a very quiet one. I'm sure you'll figure that out yourself, Kaoru-chan."
* * *
Kaoru found him sitting on his bed, slouching as he stared out the window wearing nothing but a pair of sweat pants and revealing his bare chest. A towel hung limp around his neck.
"Enishi-kun."
He slowly turned, looking into her blue eyes as she sat across from him on the bed. She smiled at him and gently spoke.
"Konnichiwa Enishi-kun. Long time no see." (Konnichiwa=hello)
He lowered his eyes and didn't respond. Kaoru tilted her head to look into his eyes once more.
"Enishi-kun, there is nothing to be embarrassed of."
He suddenly turned to her with a startled expression, showing slight despair and anger as she stared directly at him. For the first time in five years, he heard his voice.
"Why did you leave me, Kaoru?"
She remained silent. She gently took his hand in both of hers, and gently caressed it. She felt him flinch at the contact.
"Enishi-kun, I didn't leave you. And I know that you understand that. I had to leave."
"For what? What did I do wrong? Where was I mistaken?"
She held his hand in a stronger hold.
"Listen to me. You grew fond of me over a number of years, and I knew. You cared for me with a passion, and I affectionately treated you the same way."
His eyes suddenly looked desperate.
"But why? If you had no emotions for me, then why did you give me back what I gave you?"
She gripped his hand and brought it to her cheek.
"Because my intentions were different from yours, Enishi."
He stared at her in silence.
It was true. Enishi had known Kaoru since their years in college. Despite his busy schedule, he had remained loyal to Kaoru and without fail, left some time to visit her daily. Kaoru knew this, and took him in as a wonderful friend and companion. And yet, after graduation Enishi had confessed his emotions before her, and she was left in a feeling of confusion. He had hoped in all the years that they may remain side by side, but Kaoru soon became orphaned after the death of her parents. He offered her shelter, and she accepted, but it didn't last. Within two months, she found work as a stewardess, and soon left the house as a full grown, independent woman.
"I thought you loved me."
She looked at him, wide eyed. But soon her lashes lowered as she closed them.
"I loved you as any sister would have treasured her brother."
"But what about me?"
Their eyes met. Sorrow was written on his face.
"You may have loved me as a sister, but what about me who had emotions towards you and waited years of endurance before revealing them? Then what?"
She looked back at him with eyes of apology...and sympathy.
"I'm sorry."
With that she stood and left the room, leaving him to clench his fists and scowl at the place where she had been sitting earlier.
* * *
Dear Kaoru,
I'm afraid calling is a bit too costly, considering how poor and measly I am financially. So, here I am writing a letter with a brand new ballpoint pen (after having my last one for two years) and a piece of printer paper. I'm afraid my hosts of this house are on the verge of being broke, as am I. *laughs* I wonder how long it will last with at least seven of us here...
I am expected to fly back to Tokyo soon. Actually, I'm going back the day after tomorrow. But may I tell you now, wherever I go, I treasure our new friendship and thoughts of you every day. Did that sound too sappy? I'm awfully sorry if it did. Call me Mr. Kendo-freak, but I'm absolutely not a poet...not to mention romantic.
I miss you so much it hurts,
Kenshin
* * *
Enishi gazed at the little picture frame in his hands as the moonlight shone benignly upon the glass surface. Tears built up in his eyes, dropping upon the faces of two people in the picture. Both faces laughed up at him, a beautiful woman of 20, and a little boy next to her at the age of 12.
"Neh-san..." (Neh-san=sister)
He cradled the photo in his arms as he continued to cry, lowering his head to stifle his sobs.
"Neh-san, what do I do? After all I've lost, what do I do? Tomoe neh-san..."
* * *
"Himuraa~!!!"
"Misao-dono, I'm over here!"
Misao rushed outside and looked around for the red haired guy. No Kenshin.
"Where?!"
"HERE!"
Kenshin waved at her from the roof with a hammer. His sleeves were rolled up, and beads of sweat covered his brow. She waved the phone at him from the ground.
"PHONE!! IT'S SOME WOMAN!!"
His heart lurched. Kaoru? He leapt from the roof and gladly accepted the phone.
"Hello?"
"Why, Himura-san! How young you sound! Could it be my phone?"
He sweat dropped.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm sure it must be cold out there! That young lady told me it was snowing! Why on earth are you out on the roof?!"
The voice of the woman was unfamiliar. Definitely not Kaoru.
"I actually promised Okina-dono that I'd fix his roof, but I'm sorry, who is this?"
"Himura-san, this is Tae!!"
His eyes widened in recognition, and a smile crept up his lips.
"Tae-dono! It's been so long! How are you?"
"Oh, there are far more important things I need to discuss with you! I heard that you now have quite an interest in a specific someone, Himura-san."
"ORO, TAE-DONO WHERE DID YOU-"
"I even know who it happens to be! Of course, I'm sure Kaoru would appreciate it if I told her..."
"AAAAH, TAE-DONO WHY ARE YOU-"
Misao gave him an odd 'what-the-hell?' look as he blushed brightly again for the second time, and began tearing at his hair with frantic looks. She had a hunch that they were talking about his 'love life' and giggled as she flipped through a magazine.
"Himura-san, you can't hide these from me! You expect to keep me from gossip?"
"Ah, no! But...but how?!"
"Oh, relations my dear, it travels by mouth."
He slumped down to sit as he tried to rub away the redness from his face. From the other end of the line, Tae was enjoying herself immensely.
"OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!!"
After much talk, Tae finally bid Kenshin good-bye and 'good luck' and hung up the phone. She hadn't noticed Enishi coming to the table as she'd talked. He listened to the conversation intently. He took in the words 'you', 'interest', and 'Kaoru'. He looked at Tae who was busily wiping the table in front of him. He clearly knew what was going on.
"Tae-san..."
She looked at him, surprised that he had spoken.
"Hai?" (Hai=yes)
"Who was that?"
She smiled.
"The person on the phone? That would be Himura-san. I used to know him quite well when I lived in Tokyo."
He didn't pay any heed to any of her chatter about her meeting him.
This Himura whats-his-face was attracted to Kaoru, and after all that he'd lost, he wasn't going to let anyone take anything that he had affection for.
* * *
Kaoru hiked up the steep hill, gazing at the surrounding trees as the sun flooded through the leaves above her.
"Just like the day with Kenshin..."
She stopped at the entrance to the little clearing, and a wave of sadness came over her. In front of the boulder, she saw herself sitting there, leaning against it with Kenshin by her side. She blinked, and the image faded. Sighing, she walked to the spot where she had seen herself and sat down, leaning against the boulder as she had done before. She gazed up.
The same trees.
The same sunlight.
The same birds.
The same earth.
The same boulder.
She looked to her left.
No Kenshin.
Looking away, she looked to the ground, drowning in a dejected emotion. She felt her hands come in contact with drops of water, glistening as they fell. No rain came forth from the sky. It was her own tears.
Kaoru then cried to her heart's content. Letting out all that she longed for.
Letting it out for the person she loved.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
TO BE CONTINUED...
What'll happen? Ah, well...here's where the plot grows interesting...^^
A/N: WAAAAAI!! Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews! Of course, this is my first romance fic, and I'm glad it's going better then I was hoping! ^___^ Thank you!! And alas, will Enishi become a wall between two lovers? Ah, continue reading...
Mini note: Kenshin and Kaoru are the SAME AGE!!!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Okaerinasai, Enishi-san."
He nodded to Tae and seated himself across from Kaoru without averting his gaze. She softened her eyes and smiled as if meeting for the first time. But Tae couldn't help sensing the tension, and strove to ease it up.
"Oh, Enishi-san you must be boiling in that coat! Here, let me take it for you, and go make yourself comfortable in your room-"
As she outstretched her arms to take his coat, he shook his head and motioned her to stop. And giving one last glance at Kaoru, he stood up and slumbered upstairs. Throughout all this, Tsubame couldn't help but tremble in the corner, her hand still covering her mouth in nervousness. Kaoru patted her back and allowed her to lean on her shoulder, questioning her what was wrong and that Enishi meant no harm. Tae sighed as she poured more tea.
"He's a very quiet one. I'm sure you'll figure that out yourself, Kaoru-chan."
* * *
Kaoru found him sitting on his bed, slouching as he stared out the window wearing nothing but a pair of sweat pants and revealing his bare chest. A towel hung limp around his neck.
"Enishi-kun."
He slowly turned, looking into her blue eyes as she sat across from him on the bed. She smiled at him and gently spoke.
"Konnichiwa Enishi-kun. Long time no see." (Konnichiwa=hello)
He lowered his eyes and didn't respond. Kaoru tilted her head to look into his eyes once more.
"Enishi-kun, there is nothing to be embarrassed of."
He suddenly turned to her with a startled expression, showing slight despair and anger as she stared directly at him. For the first time in five years, he heard his voice.
"Why did you leave me, Kaoru?"
She remained silent. She gently took his hand in both of hers, and gently caressed it. She felt him flinch at the contact.
"Enishi-kun, I didn't leave you. And I know that you understand that. I had to leave."
"For what? What did I do wrong? Where was I mistaken?"
She held his hand in a stronger hold.
"Listen to me. You grew fond of me over a number of years, and I knew. You cared for me with a passion, and I affectionately treated you the same way."
His eyes suddenly looked desperate.
"But why? If you had no emotions for me, then why did you give me back what I gave you?"
She gripped his hand and brought it to her cheek.
"Because my intentions were different from yours, Enishi."
He stared at her in silence.
It was true. Enishi had known Kaoru since their years in college. Despite his busy schedule, he had remained loyal to Kaoru and without fail, left some time to visit her daily. Kaoru knew this, and took him in as a wonderful friend and companion. And yet, after graduation Enishi had confessed his emotions before her, and she was left in a feeling of confusion. He had hoped in all the years that they may remain side by side, but Kaoru soon became orphaned after the death of her parents. He offered her shelter, and she accepted, but it didn't last. Within two months, she found work as a stewardess, and soon left the house as a full grown, independent woman.
"I thought you loved me."
She looked at him, wide eyed. But soon her lashes lowered as she closed them.
"I loved you as any sister would have treasured her brother."
"But what about me?"
Their eyes met. Sorrow was written on his face.
"You may have loved me as a sister, but what about me who had emotions towards you and waited years of endurance before revealing them? Then what?"
She looked back at him with eyes of apology...and sympathy.
"I'm sorry."
With that she stood and left the room, leaving him to clench his fists and scowl at the place where she had been sitting earlier.
* * *
Dear Kaoru,
I'm afraid calling is a bit too costly, considering how poor and measly I am financially. So, here I am writing a letter with a brand new ballpoint pen (after having my last one for two years) and a piece of printer paper. I'm afraid my hosts of this house are on the verge of being broke, as am I. *laughs* I wonder how long it will last with at least seven of us here...
I am expected to fly back to Tokyo soon. Actually, I'm going back the day after tomorrow. But may I tell you now, wherever I go, I treasure our new friendship and thoughts of you every day. Did that sound too sappy? I'm awfully sorry if it did. Call me Mr. Kendo-freak, but I'm absolutely not a poet...not to mention romantic.
I miss you so much it hurts,
Kenshin
* * *
Enishi gazed at the little picture frame in his hands as the moonlight shone benignly upon the glass surface. Tears built up in his eyes, dropping upon the faces of two people in the picture. Both faces laughed up at him, a beautiful woman of 20, and a little boy next to her at the age of 12.
"Neh-san..." (Neh-san=sister)
He cradled the photo in his arms as he continued to cry, lowering his head to stifle his sobs.
"Neh-san, what do I do? After all I've lost, what do I do? Tomoe neh-san..."
* * *
"Himuraa~!!!"
"Misao-dono, I'm over here!"
Misao rushed outside and looked around for the red haired guy. No Kenshin.
"Where?!"
"HERE!"
Kenshin waved at her from the roof with a hammer. His sleeves were rolled up, and beads of sweat covered his brow. She waved the phone at him from the ground.
"PHONE!! IT'S SOME WOMAN!!"
His heart lurched. Kaoru? He leapt from the roof and gladly accepted the phone.
"Hello?"
"Why, Himura-san! How young you sound! Could it be my phone?"
He sweat dropped.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm sure it must be cold out there! That young lady told me it was snowing! Why on earth are you out on the roof?!"
The voice of the woman was unfamiliar. Definitely not Kaoru.
"I actually promised Okina-dono that I'd fix his roof, but I'm sorry, who is this?"
"Himura-san, this is Tae!!"
His eyes widened in recognition, and a smile crept up his lips.
"Tae-dono! It's been so long! How are you?"
"Oh, there are far more important things I need to discuss with you! I heard that you now have quite an interest in a specific someone, Himura-san."
"ORO, TAE-DONO WHERE DID YOU-"
"I even know who it happens to be! Of course, I'm sure Kaoru would appreciate it if I told her..."
"AAAAH, TAE-DONO WHY ARE YOU-"
Misao gave him an odd 'what-the-hell?' look as he blushed brightly again for the second time, and began tearing at his hair with frantic looks. She had a hunch that they were talking about his 'love life' and giggled as she flipped through a magazine.
"Himura-san, you can't hide these from me! You expect to keep me from gossip?"
"Ah, no! But...but how?!"
"Oh, relations my dear, it travels by mouth."
He slumped down to sit as he tried to rub away the redness from his face. From the other end of the line, Tae was enjoying herself immensely.
"OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!!"
After much talk, Tae finally bid Kenshin good-bye and 'good luck' and hung up the phone. She hadn't noticed Enishi coming to the table as she'd talked. He listened to the conversation intently. He took in the words 'you', 'interest', and 'Kaoru'. He looked at Tae who was busily wiping the table in front of him. He clearly knew what was going on.
"Tae-san..."
She looked at him, surprised that he had spoken.
"Hai?" (Hai=yes)
"Who was that?"
She smiled.
"The person on the phone? That would be Himura-san. I used to know him quite well when I lived in Tokyo."
He didn't pay any heed to any of her chatter about her meeting him.
This Himura whats-his-face was attracted to Kaoru, and after all that he'd lost, he wasn't going to let anyone take anything that he had affection for.
* * *
Kaoru hiked up the steep hill, gazing at the surrounding trees as the sun flooded through the leaves above her.
"Just like the day with Kenshin..."
She stopped at the entrance to the little clearing, and a wave of sadness came over her. In front of the boulder, she saw herself sitting there, leaning against it with Kenshin by her side. She blinked, and the image faded. Sighing, she walked to the spot where she had seen herself and sat down, leaning against the boulder as she had done before. She gazed up.
The same trees.
The same sunlight.
The same birds.
The same earth.
The same boulder.
She looked to her left.
No Kenshin.
Looking away, she looked to the ground, drowning in a dejected emotion. She felt her hands come in contact with drops of water, glistening as they fell. No rain came forth from the sky. It was her own tears.
Kaoru then cried to her heart's content. Letting out all that she longed for.
Letting it out for the person she loved.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
TO BE CONTINUED...
What'll happen? Ah, well...here's where the plot grows interesting...^^