Rurouni Kenshin is created by and the legal property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, so please don't sue me...I have NO money ;-;
" And when were movin' sets across the stage...do us all a favor and move you ass's out of the wings!!"
Stage Manager Sarah CCHS Production of "OKLAHOMA!" 2001-2002 Drama Dinner Improv "The Actor and the Techi should be Friends.
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Healer
Kaoru sat in the lukewarm water, knee's drawn up and her head rested lightly on them. She spent most of the night either crying, or having nightmares. Her head ached from all the tears. She was surprised Kenshin hadn't heard her last night, but also thankful for it. She wanted so much for him to wake up and comfort her, but, then her whole purpose for coming here would be ruined. Before going back to see Hiko, Kaoru thought about going to see Aoshi again. When she got up this morning she swore she saw Aoshi just sitting on the porch...watching her. ' He knows something I don't....and I'm going to find out what. ' Her thoughts were interrupted by a quiet knock as the furo's door. "Koishii? Are you alright? You've been in there for almost an hour now..." Kaoru sighed. ' He's always worrying...why...?' "I'm fine Kenshin...I'll be out soon..." On the other side of the door Kenshin nodded and leaned softly against it. "Kaoru...why don't I join you?" Kaoru's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. It wasn't the first time he had ask to join her in a bath, nor will it be the last. "No...it's alright, I'm getting out now anyway...the waters gotten cold. But, I appreciate the offer..." Kenshin smiled to himself. He respected her privacy, and at the same time understood that she was still shy, and probably body conscious. "Alright...I'll see you at breakfast..." Kaoru waited till she could no longer hear Kenshin footsteps before dunking her head underwater quickly and then rising out of the bath. After changing into a clean kimono she walked out to meet everyone for breakfast. A moment later Misao came bouncing down the stairs, Aoshi following at a slower pace. "Morning everyone!!!" Misao plopped down in her seat (which was always conveniently located next to Aoshi's seat.) Kenshin greeted the two with a smile and started to eat. Kaoru looked toward Aoshi and cocked her head to the side slightly. Aoshi looked up and looked toward Kenshin before looking at Kaoru. Again they made eye contact again, and he nodded slightly. Kaoru shook head slightly after Aoshi had looked away. 'Is Aoshi reading my mind or something? Well...what do you expect Kaoru...were talking about Aoshi the Zen meditation master here...'
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Breakfast went along smoothly. After taking care of the dishes Kenshin walked out of the kitchen to see a genki Misao begging Kaoru for something. "Please Kaoru!! Lets go shopping! Then we can go get something to eat at the Shirobeko!!" Kaoru shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry Misao, but, I have other errands to run. I can't" Kenshin stood behind a wall a listen to the girls conversation. ' More errands? But, she was out all day yesterday. Something's not right here...' Kaoru and Misao talked for a little while longer until the bouncy women skipped out of the room. Kaoru sighed and made her way up stairs, Kenshin following far enough behind she would not be able to tell he was there. Kaoru stopped at Aoshi's door and knocked quietly. "Enter." The command was one that was used to being obey. Kaoru slid open the door and walked in before shutting it again. Kenshin settled himself outside the door and closed his eyes. What did Kaoru need to talk to Aoshi about?
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"Aoshi-san...there's something your not telling me..." Aoshi continued to look out the window and down at Misao in the court yard. "Kamiya...do you know the risks of what your doing?" Confused, Kaoru lifted one eyebrow. "Risks??" Aoshi stood and turned to look at the raven haired women. "Everything your about to discover is going to affect you future more than you think...do you remember the dream you had last night...?" "You...how did you know I had a dream..?" "Kamiya...look at who your speaking to...it was easy for me to tell. Just know what you have gotten yourself into, and if Himura finds our before you've finished...he might not forgive you." Kaoru nodded. "I understand..." Kaoru moved to get up, but before leave she turned and stood in front of Aoshi. "Arigatou for everything." Before Aoshi could react Kaoru wrapped her hands around Aoshi's wait and hugged him. Smirking despite himself he lightly returned the hug. "Your welcome...Kaoru."
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Kenshin leaned against the rooms wall. He had heard every word of Kaoru and Aoshi's conversation. He had called her Kaoru, and they had hugged. Slowly he let himself slide down the wall and let himself slide down to the floor. "Was I ever worthy? Kami...even now your still trying to punish me?" He looked down and sighed. "All that matters to me is that she is happy...if she wants to be with Aoshi...so be it."
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Kaoru walked in her room to see Kenshin asleep against the wall. His Sakabatou rested against his shoulder. ' Strange...he hasn't slept like that in almost a year...' Quietly, she walked up to Kenshin and kneeled next to him. Putting a hand on his shoulder, she shook him lightly. "Kenshin...wake up. Kenshin, get into bed...your going to freeze without a blanket." His lavender eyes opened slowly. Kaoru noted the dullness in his eyes. Her eyebrows rose up in question. "Kenshin? What's wrong? Are you sick...?" He shook his head. "No Kaoru-dono, Sessha is fine." ' Kaoru-dono...? Sessha? I thought we stopped that months ago.' Kaoru took her hand and stroked his face gently. "Your lying. Tell me, what's wrong?" Before her hand could move to touch his scar, he removed it. "You don't need to pretend anymore Kaoru-dono. Sessha knows your secret." ' Secret? ' Kaoru tilted her head. "Kenshin...what secret?" He pulled his dull lavender eyes away from her lively blue ones. "Sessha knows why you were gone all day yesterday...you were with Aoshi." Kaoru opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off. "You don't have to explain Kaoru-dono, Sessha knows you want to be happy. And, if being happy means you have to leave Sessha, so be it. I all want to see is your happiness Kaoru-dono." ' Kenshin...' Shaking her head she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Kenshin...it's alright. I have NOTHING with Aoshi. You misunderstood." "No Kaoru-dono...it's alright, you don't have to lie anymore. This is why you wanted to come to Kyoto...to see him." Kaoru pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Kenshin...how could you think this? I told you...there's nothing between us." Kenshin looked at her confused, then...what were you to discussing earlier tonight?" Kaoru swallowed and looked down. ' I can't let him know yet what I'm doing. ' "Aoshi gave me some advice earlier...I was just thanking him...I swear." To prove herself to him she kissed him. Kenshin feel into the sensation of her lips against his. Kaoru pulled away slowly and looked into his eyes while caressing his cheek. "I'm sorry if I misled you, there are just something's I need to take care of while I'm here. Aoshi was just helping me. And as for yesterday...I was shopping...remember?" Kenshin nodded and held her close breathing in her scent. Suddenly he heard her small giggle. "Kaoru?" She looked up at him eyes smiling. "Kenshin...no offence to Aoshi, but, he's the last one I would leave you for..."
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Late that evening a shadow lingered about the Aoiya. The light footsteps quite as to not disturb the house's sleepers. Kenshin turned in bed and reached to hold Kaoru close to him, only to realize...she wasn't there. "Oro...?" Rubbing his eyes he sat up and looked around the small room. "Kaoru...? Where did she go?" Rising, he walked quietly about the area. ' Where is she...? ' Walking into the court yard his eyes spotted a feminine figure. "Kaoru...?" The figured turned and dark eyes met his. Kenshin's heart stop as he whispered a name into the wind. "T-Tomoe...?"
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A/N~ Well....here's a revised version of chapter 3. I got some reviews that said Kenshin was a bit OOC. I went back and re-read this chapter as it was before and noticed they were right. So...I decided to re-write and repost it. The only part that's different is the section where Kenshin and Kaoru talk after she's talked to Aoshi, the ending is still the same. Please leave a review...and if you noticed, I removed the original version of this story. Comments and suggestions welcome. PLEASE EXCUSE ALL SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ERRORS. Till next time! JA! =^.^=
~Kawaii Ayame~
