Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version © N.Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment
All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.
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Lightning
by: Chiruken
Chapter 4
Not Kaoru… He took a half step back, away from the young woman staring up at him with wide, frightened sapphire blue eyes. She isn't Kaoru… He shook his head slowly, expression revealing his growing anxiety. He paused in his retreat to execute a low respectful bow. "I'm very sorry for startling you, miss, that I am. I mistook you for someone else, that I did." He continued in his retreat, feeling as if the whole world were tilting crazily. She looks so much like Kaoru… He shook his head again to banish the thought. She isn't Kaoru and no amount of wishing will make her so.
Standing slowly, she stared at the oddly dressed man backing away from her. "Wait!" She stepped over her fallen books. "Who are you?" She smiled and gestured to the bench. "Come sit down." Her smile widened at his wide-eyed look of surprise.
Looking around quickly, Kenshin slowly stepped closer again, returning her smile with a tentative one of his one. "Thank you." He murmured softly as he took the proffered seat, perching on the edge nervously as she continued to stand looking at him with an enigmatic smile.
"What's your name?" She finally broke the silence as it stretched into an uncomfortable length.
"Kenshin…" He began, finally getting a good look at the way she was dressed. "Oro?!" Eyes widening in shock he could feel a blush rising into his cheeks as he found himself staring at her legs, exposed by a short black skirt. His eyes continued of their own accord over her bared thighs to dark stockings and further down to the shiny shoes on her feet. Jerking his gaze back up he found himself now staring at her bared stomach as she stretched her arms over her head, standing up on tiptoe. "Orororororo…" He shook his head sharply. Bad! Bad, Himura, bad bad bad!!!
"Well Kenshin, like what you see?" She giggled when the blush she thought she'd detected grew, spreading across his nose in the most adorable way. "My name's Kaoru. Nice to meet you." Startled violet eyes flew to meet her own gaze. "Is something wrong?"
Her name is Kaoru? Clearing his throat he shook his head and offered a smile. "No, no…there's nothing wrong, Kaoru-dono, that there is not." What's the likelihood? Same eyes, same voice… He paused in his thoughts to draw in a quick breath, inhaling her scent. Kami-sama! She even SMELLS the same! This IS Kaoru…but not. "Please forgive my rudeness. You remind me of someone I know, that you do."
"Well, just as long as that's a good thing." Kaoru sat beside him on the bench and leaned forward to retrieve her fallen book. "So, Kenshin…can I ask you something?" She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and waited until he nodded. "Why are you dressed so weird? And is that a real sword?"
"Oro?"
She leaned closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. "You must be really brave wearing pink around here…guys like you get beat up all the time, you know."
"Ano…guys like me?" He leaned back, eyeing her warily.
"Of course, that's probably why you carry a sword, right?" She shrugged and set the book on the bench between them. "You do realize that carrying a weapon like that is kinda conspicuous, right?" She laughed lightly and leaned against the back of the bench. "Of course, for a guy to wear pink, you must be used to attracting attention, right?"
"It's faded red, not pink." He muttered sullenly. He had a feeling he understood her earlier comment now and he wasn't pleased with the image it implied.
She waved a hand airily. "Sure, sure. Say, are you a student, too?"
"Oro? Student?"
"No, probably not. I've never seen you around before." She raised a hand and covered her mouth as she yawned. "Well, Kenshin, it's been a slice, but I have to go." She reached down, retrieving a bag, and stuffed her books in it. She paused and glanced back at him, seeing his lost look and feeling almost as if she were responsible for it. Biting her lip in uncertainty, she finally shook her head slowly and stood. "Don't hang around here too long, Kenshin. The gangs start coming out towards evening." She smiled and held out her hand to him. Kenshin stared at her offered hand uncertainly for a moment before standing and hesitantly taking it. Blinking in surprise, Kaoru stared at their joined hands. Calluses… "Uh…" She swallowed and mentally shook herself. "Well, it was nice meeting you…" She stared at their joined hands some more. "Say…Kenshin…do you have a place to stay?" She slowly looked up and met his gaze directly. "You don't, do you?" His continued silence was answer enough. "Why don't you come stay with me? My place is small, but if you don't mind sleeping on the floor, I have an extra pillow and blanket you can use."
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