Chapter 7
A few nights later, Kenshin sat washing the laundry, thinking of the many ways to get rid of Sano, Yahiko, and Misao.
/Hmm... Perhaps hold a party and sneak off? Nah, Sano'll notice in a heartbeat, then follow us./
Sanosuke walked in. "Hey, Kenshin."
"Konnichiwa Sano." Kenshin washed the laundry and talked absentmindedly.
"Whatcha thinkin' about?"
"Hmm?" Kenshin looked up and stopped washing.
"Your eyes are kinda glazed over and you look distracted."
"Oh. Mm. Well, just normals things, /i guess./"
"You /guess/?" Sanosuke raised an eyebrow. "Come on, be honest. Who- er, what are you thinking about?"
Kenshin blushed. "who..? Nani?"
"Aw come on Kenshin, everyone knows you got a thing for Jou-chan."
Kenshin's cheeks and nose went crimson. "Ano~.. Well- well I'm not.. not..."
"Shush." Sanosuke grinned. "Hey by the way, I'll be out for tonight. I have some.. business to attend to."
"/you mean gambling?/ Sure, okay.. I'll remember that."
"/shhh! don't say it like that!/ Ya, cool. See ya."
Sanosuke walked away. As soon as the door closed, Kenshin grinned. /Fantastic! Sanosuke isn't going to be here. I think I can convince Misao and Yahiko to go to the Akabeko... but how?/
Just then Misao and Yahiko walked in. "Hey Kenshin! I'm going to show Misao around Tokyo. We're gonna eat at the Akebeko, then just crash at Sano's place."
"Very well, then. Domo arigatou for notifying me."
"Well, see ya, Kenshin!"
"Bye Himura!"
They walked back. Kenshin could hardly concentrate on washing the laundry, he was shaking so much. /Nnn.. I'm going to have a night alone, with Kaoru-dono! And this time sessha will do it right.../
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After hanging up the laundry, Kenshin poked his head in the kitchen. He had finally managed to control himself so he was no longer shaking. He walked up to Kaoru. "Konnichiwa, Kaoru-dono."
Kaoru looked up from the dishes. "Konnichiwa." /Kami-sama, I wish he wouldn't call me '-dono'../
"Umm.. Sano, Yahiko and Misao will be gone for the night, okay?"
Kaoru stopped and looked at Kenshin. "You managed to get them away for the night?"
"Well.. um.. sorta.. they all already had plans."
"I.. see." Kaoru nodded and turned back to the dishes.
"Uhm, here let me help you with that."
~~~
Sanosuke, Yahiko and Misao were crowded around the window, watching.
"Pff! He has the night alone with Jou-chan, and the first thing he does is help her wash the dishes? He's hopeless." Sanosuke shook his head.
"Shush! They might hear us!" Yahiko elbowed Sanosuke, who elbowed him back.
"Guys.. be quiet!" Misao glared at the two men.
"Oh come on! Kenshin is too wrapped in his own thoughts he can't even sense us. I doubt he could hear us, either."
"Ya.. he's right. /big jerk. first time he's been right since i met him./" Yahiko nodded.
Misao sighed. "Well, whether he knows we're here or not, I want to hear whatever they have to say, and I can't hear over your racket."
The two men nodded and were quiet.
~~~
Kenshin's face was red. /We're almost done? Ah.. darnit, I was so close to her, too.. Aw, no.. now what do I do?/ Kenshin sighed a little. /Oh well./ "I'll cook, Kaoru-dono. You just sit and relax. In fact, would you like me to prepare a bath for you?"
Kaoru nodded. /Offering to prepare me a bath?/ She sighed inwardly. /He's acting totally normal.. that's no fun./ "Yes, that would be very nice." /Unless...? No.. he'd never have the guts to take a bath with me. Dangit./
Kenshin nodded and walked toward the bath house.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Knock Knock.
"Who is it?" Kaoru looked at the door.
"Kenshin. /who else would it be?/"
"What do you want?"
"Dinner is ready, Kaoru-dono. It is set up in my room."
"Ah! Arigatou. I'll be right out."
Kenshin nodded and went to his room.
Kaoru looked at the mirror. After her bath, she had locked herself up in her room for a half hour, trying to decide what to wear. She had finally settled on her blue one, with a flower obi.* She put her hair up in a deep purple ribbon and looked at herself in the mirror. /I hope he likes this.. hmm.. of course he will. He's complimented me on it every time I wear it. Hehehe. I think it's his favorite./ She looked at the dresser. /Aw, man.. all I have is Jasmine. Wait a minute, what's this?/ She picked up a jar. /White plums..? Nah. It's old... it would never go with this outfit./ She hastily put it back in the drawer. /I guess Jasmine is my only choice../ She put on her perfume, walked out into the hallway and knocked on his door. "Kenshin?"
"Ah, just a minute, Kaoru-dono."
"May I come in?"
"No, not yet, I'm umm.. changing.. I'll be ready in a minute." Kenshin looked at himself in the mirror. At the last minute he had decided to change his gi and hakama from red and white into white and blue*. After convincing himself to calm down, he cautiously slid the door open and beckoned Kaoru to come in.
Kaoru walked into the room and was taken aback by what Kenshin had set up. The room was lit with two candles in the middle of the kotastu,** which was in the middle of the room. Next to those were two small bowls of incense, also burning. They created a sweet smell around them. He had already made up her plate for her, and his plate was also on the table, sitting across from hers. The futon was unfolded in the corner, but other than that the room was perfectly clean. She turned to compliment him, but her throat caught and she blushed. /He sure is handsome... he's wearing a different colored outfit too.. I didn't know he had a different outfit../
Kenshin blushed also, looking at her for a minute. /She's so beautiful.. she's wearing her best kimono too, the one she looks so good in.. mm it's my favorite.. it was worth waiting for her./ He regained control of himself. "G- gomen nasai Kaoru-dono, but my room is the only one with a kotatsu,** and it's a cold night."
Kaoru nodded and smiled. "It's okay."
He smiled back and gestured to the kotastu.** "In that case... please.. Kaoru-dono, sit down, eat."
End of Chapter 7
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Author's Notes: Hey everyone! Sorry for making you wait.. hope you enjoy this chapter!
*I'm describing what Kaoru and Kenshin are wearing in this picture(found at "Every Step You Take"): http://kenshin.gloriousforest.net/gallery/couple001.jpg
**Kotastu: Heated table. Yes I know, it's the middle of May, but it's a cold day okay? Plus night is usually cold.. so stop bugging me. >P
Responding to some of people who reviewed(a little thank you for taking the time to encourage me.. which brings me to a reminder: REVIEW! Please?)
Hana: The hentai bug bit you? For how long? I mean really.. you have too many R-rated fics. >P
*is confused by Lian's last review*
Crystal: Again, thanks for being the very first reviewer, so could you review again please?
Naomi: Thanks for coming back! Hope you liked this chapter. ^_^
Kaoru: Domo arigatou for your encouragement. Hope this is waffy enough for you!
Saicho: You only reviewed once... come back... :(