Author's Note: Gomen minna-san! I combined my original first and second
chapters together so that the rest of my chapters could be longer since the
previous length wasn't to the satisfaction of certain reviewers. (kidding,
just kidding) I apologize if I've inconvenienced you in any way.
Disclaimer: I know I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, but one can wish, ne?
The Love of Life
Chapter 2: Encounter With an Angel
By CrismHeart
August 15, 2003
Being the adjutant master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, Kaoru finally became aware of a presence behind her. She whipped her head around and the two found themselves staring at each other.
Kaoru examined his features, so unlike anyone she had ever seen, but undeniably handsome. He had long flame-colored hair tied in a loose ponytail, wide violet eyes, and a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek.
"Wait a second, violet eyes?! I didn't even know people could have violet eyes, but they are the most beautiful I've ever seen," Kaoru thought all the while she gawked at his appearance.
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Kenshin was the first to recover, "Sumimasen, sessha did not mean to startle you, that I did not."
Kaoru suddenly realizing that she had been caught gaping at him began to flush with embarrassment.
"Iie, I didn't notice there was anyone else here. I should be the one apologizing. My name is Kamiya Kaoru." she replied.
"Himura Kenshin."
"By the way, Himura-san, do you happen to know how to get to the Kamiya dojo from here?" Kaoru asked sheepishly.
"Aa," Kenshin was slightly perplexed, "but your name is Kamiya Kaoru, is it not? Or do you not live there?"
Kaoru began to blush, "Ano, I was trying to get to the park to meet my friend, demo I got lost on the way," she explained.
"Then, would you like me to walk you home, Kaoru-dono?" he inquired.
Kaoru knew that since Kenshin was a stranger and she was unfamiliar with her surroundings, she probably should decline his offer, but she felt that he was someone to be trusted and she was one to act upon her instincts. Besides, how else would she find her way back?
"Hai, that would be nice of you, Himura-san."
"Kaoru-dono, please, call me Kenshin."
"Only if you call me Kaoru," she countered, but could not help smiling.
"Of course, Kaoru-dono."
She began to muse, "He speaks differently from anyone I've ever met. I wonder why he refers to himself as 'sessha.' How can he think that he is unworthy? Maybe I can ask him some other time when we are better acquainted."
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Meanwhile, Misao had been trained in the ways of the ninja by her grandfather, Okita, ever since she was a little girl. When she arrived at the Kamiya dojo, Misao decided to put her skills to good use. The gate had been latched, but she knew where the spare key to the door was hidden because she had seen Kaoru place it there several times, not that Kaoru knew about that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The journey to the dojo proved to be pleasant. They each enjoyed each other's company immensely and were saddened that it had been so brief. It was only ten minutes before they found the gate to the dojo, but in that time Kaoru had already vowed to learn more about Kenshin, all in due time, of course. He had not told her much about himself, except that he was from Kyoto and had come to Tokyo recently. That had made her feel awkward since she was seeking the help of someone who was new around the area.
"Kenshin must think I'm so stupid! Argh, I'm so mad at myself!" Kaoru yelled at herself mentally.
Although Kenshin would not say a lot about his past, Kaoru knew better than to press on. .
With each step she took, the Kaoru's happy façade remained on her face, but her mind was in turmoil. She grew more and more depressed as she recognized the streets near her neighborhood and they neared her own dojo. Would she ever see him again?
"Kenshin, you can come in and have some tea if you want."
He nodded in agreement, "Sessha would like to, that I would."
At that moment, Kaoru reached out to open the gates when she realized that they were slightly ajar and she was certain that she had left them locked securely.
She paused and contemplated for a minute, "Yahiko could have come home early, but he would have locked it. He may be immature and really annoying at times, but he isn't irresponsible. He knows that I would make him regret being so negligent. So, if it's not Yahiko, then it must be an intruder. Either way, I'll show him to mess with Kamiya Kaoru!"
She turned to Kenshin and put a finger to her lips and motioned for him to stay quiet. He nodded so that she would know that he understood. He followed close behind her and silently vowed that he would protect her if need be.
Kaoru silently crept to the dojo and grabbed the bokken closest to her.
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Misao had been in the kitchen. Her theory was that Kaoru would come straight to the kitchen since it was nearing dinnertime. She could hear the sounds of footsteps coming closer, but was not able to discern them where exactly they were coming from. There were at least two people, and that confused her. Why was no one speaking?
"I challenge you whoever you are! I'll Kamiya Kasshin your ass. That'll teach you to try robbing the dojo!"
Misao began to panick. So, is that why she had perceived there was more than one person there? Well, at least she had her kunai with her.
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Kaoru ran to the kitchen where she had heard the sound of daggers being swiftly drawn.
"Kaoru?" Misao queried nervously.
Kaoru's face reflected the shock she felt as her head turned in the direction of her friend's voice, "Misao?!"
Misao would have laughed at Kaoru's disbelief if her rage had not come first, "Eh? Kaoru, so this is why you never showed up? You were with a guy?! I thought our friendship meant more than that to you."
As the realization of her own words hit her, Misao's entire demeanor changed. The scowl and glare that had been emitting waves of intense anger sent at Kaoru broke into a huge grin.
"Misao! Mou, it's nothing like that!" Kaoru exclaimed, "I'm not that kind of person!" She was steadily becoming more and more exasperated.
Misao completely ignored Kaoru's outburst and gave her a look that specifically demanded that she introduce him to her- or else.
Kaoru rolled her eyes, "This is Himura Kenshin. I got lost on my way to meeting you and he was nice enough to walk me home. Kenshin, this is my best friend, Makimachi Misao."
Why is it that the worst scenario case always seems to happen to her? Inwardly, Kaoru was glad that Misao was no longer irritated, but did not like what her words had implied. The wrath of Misao could be frightening, especially for people that were not used to it. Kaoru did not want Misao scaring off Kenshin right away; after all, she had just met him.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Misao-dono."
"And one to meet you. Make sure you take care of Kaoru. I'll leave you two alone now." Misao winked at Kaoru knowingly, then waved and sprinted off before Kaoru could catch her.
"Well, sessha should leave now, that I should," Kenshin stated.
"But you haven't had any tea yet," Kaoru was reluctant to have him go. She had a feeling that once he left, he might not choose to return, even for something as simple as a visit.
Kenshin had gotten to the entrance of the dojo when she suddenly called out to him, "Matte! I forgot to give you something!" Kaoru gently tugged her hair ribbon and it instantly came undone. It was her indigo one, her favorite. "Please give it back to me the next time we meet."
Kenshin smiled reassuringly at her. He was genuinely happy, something he had not felt in a long time. "When next we meet."
________________________________________________________________________
Author's Note: To my reviewers, I can't tell you how thrilled I was when I first started getting responses! You've made my day! Without them I wouldn't have the motivation to write. I would like to thank Koniko-chan especially for being my first ever reviewer!
Matantei Loki: Your suggestion about writing more was a good one. I just wasn't and am still not really sure where my story was going. Just for clarification, this is set in modern times.
Yami Neko-Kitsune: Thank you! You're too kind! I do wish I had more reviews.
l3al3yanime and Brittanie Love: I'm so sorry I messed up. I'm still new at this, and of course I'll read your fic ASAP.
Disclaimer: I know I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, but one can wish, ne?
The Love of Life
Chapter 2: Encounter With an Angel
By CrismHeart
August 15, 2003
Being the adjutant master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, Kaoru finally became aware of a presence behind her. She whipped her head around and the two found themselves staring at each other.
Kaoru examined his features, so unlike anyone she had ever seen, but undeniably handsome. He had long flame-colored hair tied in a loose ponytail, wide violet eyes, and a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek.
"Wait a second, violet eyes?! I didn't even know people could have violet eyes, but they are the most beautiful I've ever seen," Kaoru thought all the while she gawked at his appearance.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin was the first to recover, "Sumimasen, sessha did not mean to startle you, that I did not."
Kaoru suddenly realizing that she had been caught gaping at him began to flush with embarrassment.
"Iie, I didn't notice there was anyone else here. I should be the one apologizing. My name is Kamiya Kaoru." she replied.
"Himura Kenshin."
"By the way, Himura-san, do you happen to know how to get to the Kamiya dojo from here?" Kaoru asked sheepishly.
"Aa," Kenshin was slightly perplexed, "but your name is Kamiya Kaoru, is it not? Or do you not live there?"
Kaoru began to blush, "Ano, I was trying to get to the park to meet my friend, demo I got lost on the way," she explained.
"Then, would you like me to walk you home, Kaoru-dono?" he inquired.
Kaoru knew that since Kenshin was a stranger and she was unfamiliar with her surroundings, she probably should decline his offer, but she felt that he was someone to be trusted and she was one to act upon her instincts. Besides, how else would she find her way back?
"Hai, that would be nice of you, Himura-san."
"Kaoru-dono, please, call me Kenshin."
"Only if you call me Kaoru," she countered, but could not help smiling.
"Of course, Kaoru-dono."
She began to muse, "He speaks differently from anyone I've ever met. I wonder why he refers to himself as 'sessha.' How can he think that he is unworthy? Maybe I can ask him some other time when we are better acquainted."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, Misao had been trained in the ways of the ninja by her grandfather, Okita, ever since she was a little girl. When she arrived at the Kamiya dojo, Misao decided to put her skills to good use. The gate had been latched, but she knew where the spare key to the door was hidden because she had seen Kaoru place it there several times, not that Kaoru knew about that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The journey to the dojo proved to be pleasant. They each enjoyed each other's company immensely and were saddened that it had been so brief. It was only ten minutes before they found the gate to the dojo, but in that time Kaoru had already vowed to learn more about Kenshin, all in due time, of course. He had not told her much about himself, except that he was from Kyoto and had come to Tokyo recently. That had made her feel awkward since she was seeking the help of someone who was new around the area.
"Kenshin must think I'm so stupid! Argh, I'm so mad at myself!" Kaoru yelled at herself mentally.
Although Kenshin would not say a lot about his past, Kaoru knew better than to press on. .
With each step she took, the Kaoru's happy façade remained on her face, but her mind was in turmoil. She grew more and more depressed as she recognized the streets near her neighborhood and they neared her own dojo. Would she ever see him again?
"Kenshin, you can come in and have some tea if you want."
He nodded in agreement, "Sessha would like to, that I would."
At that moment, Kaoru reached out to open the gates when she realized that they were slightly ajar and she was certain that she had left them locked securely.
She paused and contemplated for a minute, "Yahiko could have come home early, but he would have locked it. He may be immature and really annoying at times, but he isn't irresponsible. He knows that I would make him regret being so negligent. So, if it's not Yahiko, then it must be an intruder. Either way, I'll show him to mess with Kamiya Kaoru!"
She turned to Kenshin and put a finger to her lips and motioned for him to stay quiet. He nodded so that she would know that he understood. He followed close behind her and silently vowed that he would protect her if need be.
Kaoru silently crept to the dojo and grabbed the bokken closest to her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Misao had been in the kitchen. Her theory was that Kaoru would come straight to the kitchen since it was nearing dinnertime. She could hear the sounds of footsteps coming closer, but was not able to discern them where exactly they were coming from. There were at least two people, and that confused her. Why was no one speaking?
"I challenge you whoever you are! I'll Kamiya Kasshin your ass. That'll teach you to try robbing the dojo!"
Misao began to panick. So, is that why she had perceived there was more than one person there? Well, at least she had her kunai with her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru ran to the kitchen where she had heard the sound of daggers being swiftly drawn.
"Kaoru?" Misao queried nervously.
Kaoru's face reflected the shock she felt as her head turned in the direction of her friend's voice, "Misao?!"
Misao would have laughed at Kaoru's disbelief if her rage had not come first, "Eh? Kaoru, so this is why you never showed up? You were with a guy?! I thought our friendship meant more than that to you."
As the realization of her own words hit her, Misao's entire demeanor changed. The scowl and glare that had been emitting waves of intense anger sent at Kaoru broke into a huge grin.
"Misao! Mou, it's nothing like that!" Kaoru exclaimed, "I'm not that kind of person!" She was steadily becoming more and more exasperated.
Misao completely ignored Kaoru's outburst and gave her a look that specifically demanded that she introduce him to her- or else.
Kaoru rolled her eyes, "This is Himura Kenshin. I got lost on my way to meeting you and he was nice enough to walk me home. Kenshin, this is my best friend, Makimachi Misao."
Why is it that the worst scenario case always seems to happen to her? Inwardly, Kaoru was glad that Misao was no longer irritated, but did not like what her words had implied. The wrath of Misao could be frightening, especially for people that were not used to it. Kaoru did not want Misao scaring off Kenshin right away; after all, she had just met him.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Misao-dono."
"And one to meet you. Make sure you take care of Kaoru. I'll leave you two alone now." Misao winked at Kaoru knowingly, then waved and sprinted off before Kaoru could catch her.
"Well, sessha should leave now, that I should," Kenshin stated.
"But you haven't had any tea yet," Kaoru was reluctant to have him go. She had a feeling that once he left, he might not choose to return, even for something as simple as a visit.
Kenshin had gotten to the entrance of the dojo when she suddenly called out to him, "Matte! I forgot to give you something!" Kaoru gently tugged her hair ribbon and it instantly came undone. It was her indigo one, her favorite. "Please give it back to me the next time we meet."
Kenshin smiled reassuringly at her. He was genuinely happy, something he had not felt in a long time. "When next we meet."
________________________________________________________________________
Author's Note: To my reviewers, I can't tell you how thrilled I was when I first started getting responses! You've made my day! Without them I wouldn't have the motivation to write. I would like to thank Koniko-chan especially for being my first ever reviewer!
Matantei Loki: Your suggestion about writing more was a good one. I just wasn't and am still not really sure where my story was going. Just for clarification, this is set in modern times.
Yami Neko-Kitsune: Thank you! You're too kind! I do wish I had more reviews.
l3al3yanime and Brittanie Love: I'm so sorry I messed up. I'm still new at this, and of course I'll read your fic ASAP.