Guy's Night Out

Chapter Four

"Dinner wasn't too bad, considering it was courtesy of Jou-chan's kitchen skills," Sano said as he rubbed his belly and leaned back, sighing.

"She's gotten better, ne?" asked Kenshin, smiling at Kaoru.

"She's still a busu though!" said Yahiko, around a mouthful of food.

"Like you have eyes for anyone but that waitress girl, Tsubame!" Kaoru retorted.

Yahiko blushed and mumbled something, his mouth too full to be understood.

"Oi, Yahiko, ya kissed her yet, she's a cute little thing, ne?" Sano teased, winking at Kenshin.

If possible, Yahiko turned even redder and choked on his food. Kaoru pounded him on the back and he finally swallowed and caught his breath.

"Here, kid, have a drink of water," offered Sano, "I didn't mean to kill ya."

"I'm going to bed," sulked Yahiko, "you 'grown-ups' can sit here and make fun of me all you want, I don't care."

Yahiko stalked off, still stiff-backed with embarrassment.

"Oi, it's tough to be that age," said Sano, "I remember I was so tall and skinny, girls wouldn't look at me twice. I looked like a scarecrow."

"But see, I turned out to be a rather handsome fellow after all, ne?" Sano puffed out his chest and made mock lecherous eyes at Kaoru.

Kaoru groaned and giggled. "If you say so, rooster head, I see you got over that awful lack of self-confidence too."

"That's for sure," offered Kenshin, laughing "Even my Shishou Hiko-san would be impressed by your conceit!"

"Well, buddy, you ready for fun and games?" asked Sano, standing up and stretching. "I'm itching to get my cup full of sake, my hands on the dice and maybe a smile and a kiss from a pretty girl!"

"Oro!" Kenshin exclaimed, "Sessha assures Kaoru-dono there will be no kisses from pretty girls for this unworthy one!"

"Are you saying that Jou-chan isn't pretty?" asked Sano, raising an eyebrow at Kenshin.

"ORO!" squeaked Kenshin, "Maa, maa, no, sessha mean nothing of the sort. Sessha thinks Kaoru-dono is very pretty, that he does. Beautiful," his voice dropping to a hoarse whisper.

Realizing what he'd been cornered into admitting by his devious friend, and seeing Kaoru's eyes shimmering with emotion at the compliment, Kenshin decided that it was time to surrender and retreat.

"Well, we'll be off now, Kaoru-dono," he squeaked, his voice still an octave too high from embarrassment.

"Have fun, Kenshin, you deserve it," she said sweetly and impulsively leaned over to peck him lightly on the cheek.

This did nothing to help his rising blush, so he grabbed his things and ran out after Sano, who was impatiently waiting on the front porch.

"Do that again to me and you'll be tasting dirt, Rooster!" threatened Kenshin as they walked towards the city.

"Yare, just more fun for me, fighting a worthy opponent is my idea of a good time !" joked Sano, flexing his bandage-wrapped fists and smirking.