Chapter 3: Cherry Sauce (Umm, lemme go turn on Hybrid Theory again….ahh, there we go, written to Hybrid Theory (I'll go through it twice before the chapter's finished). Oh, I lied! I'm listening to System of a Down now (CD name), this took longer than I thought.)

(OK, this and Chapter 2 will be going up at the same time, I have a little more free time on my hands than I thought I would, and sorry if they're late…hey, I'm writing them fast enough, the challenge is finding the internet on a small island of the coast of Maine. Enjoy!)

Kaoru, locked in decision, stood before her wardrobe. In front of her lay a variety of pretty kimonos, most decorated with flowers or somesuch. Next to them were the obi sashes, blue and red and yellow, and the hair ribbons, and the lacy under-kimono she had bought solely in foolish hope that Kenshin might see it. She didn't usually bother…

But now I have a reason, I know he likes me, and the Battousai seems eager to…ummm… Kaoru's sex ed had been scandalously non-existent, her father had spent most of his teaching time on swords of the wooden or steel variety. Well if I really wanted him to think of me THAT way, thought the nude Kaoru, I could always just go as I am now…

*

Yahiko was persistent if nothing else. He was making his way to the peephole when Kenshin, who had been convinced by the Battousai that he needed to know as much about Kaoru as possible to ensure her happiness, caught him, and sent him off to bed. Kenshin of course immediately proceeded to the peephole, and gazed within.

DAMN.

Kaoru, completely nude, stood above her collection of clothing, her pert breasts still wet from her bath, and her dark hair in dripping strands above her gleaming face. Together, both Rurouni and Battousai began to lower their gazes, taking in her flat and toned stomach, her smoothly shaved crotch, and her long, well-muscled legs. I should kill you for not getting us this before. I should kill you for nearly killing our chances with her, ahou. Well if I hadn't created them then neither of us would be able to enjoy them now, so shut you dirty face, baka-deshi.

Well if she catches us HERE then we really are screwed, so let's go wait for her to pick out her outfit…although truth be told I wouldn't mind her staying just like she is…

*

"Koban-wa, Kaoru-don-" Kenshin stopped. OK, I've changed my mind, I prefer this over naked, for now at least… "I'm sorry, Kaoru, your beauty caught me off guard." Kaoru had used well the hour and a half after her bath. She was dressed in a red Kimono, cherries dancing through her Obi, and a darker, wine colored hair ribbon.

"Domo Arigato, Kenshin-san!' She giggled, imitating his usual excessive politeness. Christ, Kenshin, you have some mad self control to have lived with her for 3 years and given her one hug the entire time. A GOOD-BYE hug, nonetheless!. Well I wanted to go protect her happiness, and that of all of Japan, primitive urgings like the ones you represent-oh my god, look, there's a little wet patch, it's sort of see through right there…

Well get your head out of your ass and let me take over. It's time to show you how it's done, you pacifist geezer. Fine, but you know what happens if you do anything to hurt Miss Kaoru. You know, she TOLD you not to call her that, and if you listened to Sano at ALL you know that if the night goes as planned, she's gonna get hurt. Oh you mean the….thing? But, tonight? Yes and yes, you have to move fast in situations like this.

Kenshin's eyes switched, and as the golden gaze that meant the Battousai had taken over came into view, a predatory, seductive smile crossed his face. "Kaoru, you look incredible," He breathed. "You are to kind to dress like this for a worthless freeloader like myself." I thought that was MY line. Watch, as Sano and I have demonstrated, you have MUCH to learn.

"Well…I sorta saw this as a special occasion." Kaoru stuttered. "And besides," She came back strong. "If I could I'd always dress nice for you." Still, my beating heart… Hmph, that was nuthin, wander-boy! "And why's that, Kaoru?" He had a way of saying her name that could make her feel dangerously special.

"Err…well…I'll explain…later." She mumbled. Why are you-Because if I can get her to admit it, that'd be best. For what? Have you been listening at ALL? "Well, let's walk then." He offered her and arm. She slipped her hand through his offered opening, and leaned close against him as they walked towards the river.

*

So what's the plan here? I'm not telling for several good reasons. First, this is my business, not yours, and since when do I get to hear YOUR plans for getting tofu, or whatever you're good for? Well if you ask- Don't interrupt. Also, there is no plan. I'm freestylin', waiting to see what she says and does, then judging by that to find out how far I can go. How far you can…is that one of those….euphathingies? Euphamisms? It didn't start out as one, but now that you mention it… Ugh.

"Kenshin…" Their attention returned immediately to Miss Kaoru. "Yes, Kaoru?" "Why are your eyes…well…they're the same as when you fought Jinei…" Shit. "Well you see," The Battousai lied, "they seem to change whenever I'm very tense or excited. And being around you makes me both, especially when you are so beautifully attired."

"Oh Kenshin…let's sit down." She giggled. "I feel cold again…" They sat beneath a cherry tree, and watched the slightly frozen river churn it's way along. Kaoru leaned against his strong chest, and gazed upwards at his golden eyes and silky smile. "You know, before Yahiko interrupted, I was going to ask you something."

THIS ought to be good…"Anything you want, Kaoru, I'll get for you." Cherry sauce danced briefly before Kaoru's line of sight, but she shook the vision off. Kenshin broke all of the bokkens on Yahiko anyway… "Well…it's just that…" The tension began to wear on her. She was about to simply give up. "Well…when you kiss-when you warmed my lips I mean…"

"Was it not good enough?" Asked the Battousai, contriving to look stricken. "I would hate to think I had failed to do my duty for you.

That was the last straw. Kaoru's damn simply BROKE at having this man she loved so much worried about not doing enough for her, and she cried her eyes out onto Kenshin's (Damn!) best Kimono. You made her cry, you heartless fuck! OUT! No, this is part of- To late. When Kaoru looked up again with glistening eyes, the man holding her close had violet irises. "But," She sobbed, "I thought I made you excited…" "You did, I mean you do, Miss Kaoru…but I decided the Battousai part of myself might be better to make you happy…I was wrong though, and I don't think I'll let him come back.

"Oh Kenshin (How many times is she gonna say that!?), you don't understand!" She wailed anew. "I was crying…because…I love you Kenshin!" Score! YOU! You aren't coming back, even if your plan DID work! Oh come on, ask her if she's happier now, since she's admitted it. I'll think about it, but if you excuse me, I have work to do. "I love you too, Kaoru. I was just worried for so long that I would be bad for you, and all that matters to me is your happiness." He gathered her onto his lap Nice move!, and rand his hand across her cheek. She smiled, weakly. "What were you going to ask me last time?" He asked. Is the man a telepath? "A real kiss."

She got one, and the Battousai nagged Kenshin for WEEKS about his lack of skill.

*

So, now for the next step! What's the-hey, I'm not taking any more advice from YOU, useless past-self. But Kenshin, you don't know what she WANTS without me! Fine, so what do YOU say she wants, make-Kaoru-cry-san? Well, how about you shift those hands holding her DOWN a little. Are you suggesting that I GROPE the woman of my dreams? Apparently Sanosuke didn't explain this enough times, chicks LOVE being touched…THERE. Are you certain? This is your LAST chance, bitch. Do it, prove me right!

Kenshin followed his advice, and Kaoru shivered with pleasure. "That felt so nice…" I think I win. I think you're right. Kaoru's head tilted back, and she softly kissed Kenshin's neck. Damn, SHE knows what to do! Well thanks to Sano's…interesting lessons and your own antics, so do I.

Kenshin turned and softly nipped Kaoru's earlobe, making her quietly moan. I'm proud to learn that my student learned well. You haven't seen anything, killer. He slipped one hand inside Kaoru's kimonos (Oooh, lacy!), and spread one warm hand over her taut belly, caressing it. Kaoru grasped the hand and moved it up, until it cupped one aroused breast. Ok, you've got it now! I always have, baka-deshi, you just got me started. Well finish the job, let's take her home. Exactly…but I have another job for you. It will take the ruthlessness and smoothness of a master Hitokiri such as yourself. No flattery please, what needs doing? I need you to figure out how to work in the cherry sauce…

(Oh it's so sad, this story's nearly finished! I had a lot of fun with it, and I'll do another chapter or two at least though, don't get your panties in a twist. And I'm sort of liking humor fics now, maybe I'll do an Aoshi/Misao version of this. They can BOTH have mental dialogues! I like the idea, tell me some thoughts and suggest a pairing for the next one if you agree. I think I sort of lost focus here towards the end, but next chapter should be fun (all kinky fantasies fulfilled!), although Kaoru will need to buy some new bokkens…Review please! L8r!)

Shit, I forgot, ahou=moron, baka=fool, baka-deshi=sort of a foolish student or learner, domo/arigato=thanks, both adds extra emphasis, -dono ending=miss, -san ending=Mr./Sir, and Obis are the sashes that hold up and together Kimonos, which are by the way sort of all purpose robes. Oh, and bokkens are the wooden practice swords Kaoru and Yahiko use.