glossary:
chotto = short for "chotto matte", "wait a moment"
nan de gozaru ka? = what is it? Kenshin-style
onegaishimasu = please
wakatte = I understand
omedetou = congratulations
Kinou no Kakera (A Piece of Yesterday)
by Mirune Keishiko
Six: Question
The moon was beginning its descent and the crickets singing full blast when the first familiar voice broke the night's stillness. Kenshin looked up as Kaoru's hushed voice came echoing from the silent street outside.
"Keisuke... do you think anyone's still up? I know I told Kenshin not to wait up, but now I guess I should have told him. Chotto, I have the key in my bag--"
Kenshin opened the gate with a smile. "Okaeri nasai de gozaru."
Relief flooded Kaoru's face as she looked up at him. "Oh, good. I thought you might be asleep already." But her blue eyes were cool and
distant, and Kenshin realized she had not forgotten the events of the morning. /Oro.../ he groaned to himself. "Kei-kun, maybe you'd like
some tea before you left. It's cold tonight and you'll be heading home alone." Kaoru glanced at Keisuke, who smiled and bowed.
"I'd appreciate it, thanks."
Kaoru walked past Kenshin into the dojo. "Well, if you don't mind, I'll be going ahead. I'm a little tired. And thank you," she added, smiling shyly back at Keisuke. "I had a wonderful time. Kenshin will bring you the tea, all right?"
"This way, Niimi-san," Kenshin said politely, shutting the gate behind the two. Keisuke followed him to the front room as Kaoru went to
her room, humming quietly.
"I hope you both had a good time today." Having put the water on to boil in the kitchen, Kenshin entered the front room where Keisuke sat waiting. "Kaoru-dono hasn't been out on the town in some time."
"I think she quite enjoyed herself. And it was a pleasure to take her around." Keisuke's eyes sparkled. "Kaoru is an... enchanting woman."
"Aa." Kenshin smiled, gazing out the open doorway to where a thousand stars glittered against the night sky. "She is."
"I know. That is why..."
Keisuke's voice -- usually light and even -- trembled now. He seemed to have lost his earlier composure. Startled, feeling a cold
apprehension inside him that he could not identify, Kenshin turned to the younger man. Keisuke had fallen silent, picking at his sleeves
and averting his eyes from Kenshin's gaze.
"Nan de gozaru ka?" prompted Kenshin gently, ignoring the fear that had begun to gnaw at his heart.
Keisuke glanced up, his clear brown eyes met Kenshin's for a moment. Then the younger man seemed to meet a decision.
He placed his hands flat on the tatami in front of him and bowed deeply, nearly flattening his forehead against the floor.
"Himura Kenshin-san... In the absence of both of Kaoru's parents, I turn to you, her guardian. I humbly request--" Keisuke caught himself -- "no, I humbly *beg* your permission... for me to seek Kamiya Kaoru's hand in marriage."
Kenshin stared at him.
In marriage...
He must have spoken the words aloud, for Keisuke swallowed audibly. "I've loved her ever since I was just a boy of ten... from the moment I laid eyes on her, I began to dream of the day we would be bound together for life. I can assure you, I will work the skin off my bones to give her everything she could possibly want. I'm not much just yet, but I'm going to work as hard as I can, everyday, and I'll do my very best to make her happy... What...?"
Kenshin had said something, but as Keisuke raised confused eyes to him Kenshin realized he hadn't been heard.
"I said," he repeated quietly, "you can get up now."
Still nervous, watching him with wary eyes that surprised Kenshin with the depth of their longing, Keisuke straightened up from his kneeling position. Then, unable to control himself, he leaned forward again. Kenshin could not help admiring the love and hope in those dark eyes, and -- beneath it all -- the fierce determination to hold fast to his petition.
"Onegaishimasu," he murmured, "won't you consider my suit?"
Kenshin smiled and stood up. Keisuke's shining eyes followed him.
"The water must be ready now. Excuse me for a moment."
As he reentered the front room, carrying the tray with the teapot and cups on it, Kenshin found much to admire in the young man he had left earlier. Although -- judging from the slumped shoulders and bowed head -- Keisuke was obviously crushed by Kenshin's inconclusive
reaction, the young man still sat erect, his back proudly straight, and the strong hands were clenched as they rested on his knees.
/An admirable young man,/ thought Kenshin.
Keisuke looked up as Kenshin set the tray of tea down on the floor between them. Keisuke had dropped his earlier impassioned front; now he seemed calmer, though determination still burned in his eyes. He said nothing as Kenshin poured out the tea.
"First of all, I am not the one you should ask," said Kenshin gently, passing the cup to Keisuke.
The young man took it, staring at Kenshin in wordless confusion.
"Sessha is not Kaoru-dono's guardian. I take it that you perceive me as some former retainer of Kaoru-dono's father, who watches over her as one would watch over a charge entrusted to him. But no." Kenshin took a sip of his tea and felt its heat slip down his throat. It failed to burn away the chiling sorrow inside him. "Sessha wa rurouni... It's a long story, but I'm only a wanderer, helping keep the dojo in return for room and board. I have no relation to Kaoru-dono."
Kenshin sipped his tea again and stared down at the cup, breathing in the curling steam.
/Sessha wa rurouni.../
"And second -- even if I did, I still would not be the one you should ask. Kaoru-dono makes her own decisions -- she always has. I'm sure you know that," and he glanced at Keisuke, who still made no reply. "If you wish to marry her, you should go to her."
He finished his tea and set his cup aside. He was aware of Keisuke's deep brown eyes on him, thoughtful and serious, and knew the young
man's curiosity was piqued by his earlier confession. Kenshin sighed and braced himself for the inevitable questions. /Yare yare.../ He
had said what he was supposed to, after all, and that was what mattered.
But Keisuke merely smiled. Again, he bowed deeply. "Wakatte," he said. "Arigatou, Himura-san. You have been of great help."
As he stood up and prepared to leave Kenshin stood up as well. "Daijoubu de gozaru ka, Niimi-san?"
"Hai. Daijoubu. Don't worry about me." Keisuke smiled.
"I will accompany you to the gate." The two men put on their slippers and headed toward the gate. "You have a lantern with you?" Kenshin asked politely.
"Aa. Our quarters are not so far away, anyway. I don't wish to disturb Kaoru so very late, so please tell her later that I've gone home."
"All right." Kenshin began to shut the gate, then hesitated. "Ano... Niimi-san..."
Keisuke stopped, looked back questioningly.
"Take care of Kaoru-dono. I think she will be very happy when you ask her."
Keisuke smiled. "I hope so. I plan to ask her tomorrow. Wish me luck."
And, even though he tried with all his might, Kenshin found that he couldn't.
Light still flickered from Kaoru's room at the far end of the corridor. Kenshin tried to fight off his growing misgivings and knocked.
There was a rustling sound, like cloth rubbing against cloth. "Yes?"
"Komban wa, Kaoru-dono. I know that it's late, but since you're still awake... I thought you might like some tea."
At her quiet assent he slid open the door and walked in with the tray of tea. The beautiful kimono had been carefully laid aside. Kaoru had changed into a yukata and now knelt in front of a mirror, removing her makeup with a soft cloth that she had moistened with water. Seeing how she struggled to hold the mirror and remove her makeup at the same time, Kenshin went over and took hold of the mirror, placing his hand over hers.
Startled, Kaoru looked up, a faint blush tainting her cheeks. After a moment, she let go of the mirror with a soft "Arigatou." As Kenshin held it for her, she finished wiping away the last traces of her makeup.
"I heard Keisuke leave," she said quietly.
"Yes, he didn't want to disturb you any further, he said." Kenshin put down the mirror as Kaoru picked up a cup of steaming tea. For a minute he watched silently as she sipped the tea, watched the yellow glow of the lantern warm her face.
Then, "Omedetou de gozaru, Kaoru-dono," he whispered.
Kaoru's eyes flickered toward him as she took another sip. "Nani, Kenshin?" Though visibly tired, her blue eyes were still bright and curious as they focused on him.
Kenshin smiled despite the strange breathlessness, the odd constriction he felt in his chest. "Niimi-san cares for you very much."
She smiled dreamily. "You think so? Why? Did he tell you something?"
Kaoru looked so beautiful, her cheeks pink, her eyes starry, awash in the lantern's warm light, that Kenshin could not look at her. "You'll find out tomorrow," he forced past the painful knot in his throat. Quickly he rose to his feet. "I'll leave the tea here and go on to bed now, if it's all right with you."
"H-hai." Kaoru clutched the warm teacup to herself, stared down into the swirling depths. "Thank you... for everything. Oyasumi, Kenshin."
In the open doorway, Kenshin paused. "Oyasumi de gozaru, Kaoru-dono." He started to leave but stopped again. Kaoru looked up at him
expectantly as he glanced back, irresolute. Their eyes met.
"You really do love him, ne?" he asked softly.
Kaoru's eyes flashed icy blue. She lowered her gaze. "Of course I do, baka."
Silently, Kenshin shut the shoji behind him and left.
As he padded away down the corridor, he looked about him at the dojo, still and peaceful in the night's shadows. There was a heavy feeling in him that he had given up fighting, a sense of irredeemable loneliness and wistful regret he had not known since...
...since his rurouni days.
Kenshin sighed and continued walking. Then he started as a sound broke the hush and stillness, a sound that came from Kaoru's room, muted and distant yet jarringly sudden.
The crash of fragile ceramic flung against wood.
* tsuzuku *
ororoooorooo... it's 12:53 a.m... I just knew that if I didn't conclude this chapter right now I'd never get any sleep. does it seem a little heavyhanded to you? or maybe a trifle OOC? I think it stands to reason that it's *quite* late (especially for Kaoru, who I imagine usually keeps much saner hours) and that both of them are under considerable emotional stress at the moment.
yare yare. you know what to do with the C&C...
chotto = short for "chotto matte", "wait a moment"
nan de gozaru ka? = what is it? Kenshin-style
onegaishimasu = please
wakatte = I understand
omedetou = congratulations
Kinou no Kakera (A Piece of Yesterday)
by Mirune Keishiko
Six: Question
The moon was beginning its descent and the crickets singing full blast when the first familiar voice broke the night's stillness. Kenshin looked up as Kaoru's hushed voice came echoing from the silent street outside.
"Keisuke... do you think anyone's still up? I know I told Kenshin not to wait up, but now I guess I should have told him. Chotto, I have the key in my bag--"
Kenshin opened the gate with a smile. "Okaeri nasai de gozaru."
Relief flooded Kaoru's face as she looked up at him. "Oh, good. I thought you might be asleep already." But her blue eyes were cool and
distant, and Kenshin realized she had not forgotten the events of the morning. /Oro.../ he groaned to himself. "Kei-kun, maybe you'd like
some tea before you left. It's cold tonight and you'll be heading home alone." Kaoru glanced at Keisuke, who smiled and bowed.
"I'd appreciate it, thanks."
Kaoru walked past Kenshin into the dojo. "Well, if you don't mind, I'll be going ahead. I'm a little tired. And thank you," she added, smiling shyly back at Keisuke. "I had a wonderful time. Kenshin will bring you the tea, all right?"
"This way, Niimi-san," Kenshin said politely, shutting the gate behind the two. Keisuke followed him to the front room as Kaoru went to
her room, humming quietly.
"I hope you both had a good time today." Having put the water on to boil in the kitchen, Kenshin entered the front room where Keisuke sat waiting. "Kaoru-dono hasn't been out on the town in some time."
"I think she quite enjoyed herself. And it was a pleasure to take her around." Keisuke's eyes sparkled. "Kaoru is an... enchanting woman."
"Aa." Kenshin smiled, gazing out the open doorway to where a thousand stars glittered against the night sky. "She is."
"I know. That is why..."
Keisuke's voice -- usually light and even -- trembled now. He seemed to have lost his earlier composure. Startled, feeling a cold
apprehension inside him that he could not identify, Kenshin turned to the younger man. Keisuke had fallen silent, picking at his sleeves
and averting his eyes from Kenshin's gaze.
"Nan de gozaru ka?" prompted Kenshin gently, ignoring the fear that had begun to gnaw at his heart.
Keisuke glanced up, his clear brown eyes met Kenshin's for a moment. Then the younger man seemed to meet a decision.
He placed his hands flat on the tatami in front of him and bowed deeply, nearly flattening his forehead against the floor.
"Himura Kenshin-san... In the absence of both of Kaoru's parents, I turn to you, her guardian. I humbly request--" Keisuke caught himself -- "no, I humbly *beg* your permission... for me to seek Kamiya Kaoru's hand in marriage."
Kenshin stared at him.
In marriage...
He must have spoken the words aloud, for Keisuke swallowed audibly. "I've loved her ever since I was just a boy of ten... from the moment I laid eyes on her, I began to dream of the day we would be bound together for life. I can assure you, I will work the skin off my bones to give her everything she could possibly want. I'm not much just yet, but I'm going to work as hard as I can, everyday, and I'll do my very best to make her happy... What...?"
Kenshin had said something, but as Keisuke raised confused eyes to him Kenshin realized he hadn't been heard.
"I said," he repeated quietly, "you can get up now."
Still nervous, watching him with wary eyes that surprised Kenshin with the depth of their longing, Keisuke straightened up from his kneeling position. Then, unable to control himself, he leaned forward again. Kenshin could not help admiring the love and hope in those dark eyes, and -- beneath it all -- the fierce determination to hold fast to his petition.
"Onegaishimasu," he murmured, "won't you consider my suit?"
Kenshin smiled and stood up. Keisuke's shining eyes followed him.
"The water must be ready now. Excuse me for a moment."
As he reentered the front room, carrying the tray with the teapot and cups on it, Kenshin found much to admire in the young man he had left earlier. Although -- judging from the slumped shoulders and bowed head -- Keisuke was obviously crushed by Kenshin's inconclusive
reaction, the young man still sat erect, his back proudly straight, and the strong hands were clenched as they rested on his knees.
/An admirable young man,/ thought Kenshin.
Keisuke looked up as Kenshin set the tray of tea down on the floor between them. Keisuke had dropped his earlier impassioned front; now he seemed calmer, though determination still burned in his eyes. He said nothing as Kenshin poured out the tea.
"First of all, I am not the one you should ask," said Kenshin gently, passing the cup to Keisuke.
The young man took it, staring at Kenshin in wordless confusion.
"Sessha is not Kaoru-dono's guardian. I take it that you perceive me as some former retainer of Kaoru-dono's father, who watches over her as one would watch over a charge entrusted to him. But no." Kenshin took a sip of his tea and felt its heat slip down his throat. It failed to burn away the chiling sorrow inside him. "Sessha wa rurouni... It's a long story, but I'm only a wanderer, helping keep the dojo in return for room and board. I have no relation to Kaoru-dono."
Kenshin sipped his tea again and stared down at the cup, breathing in the curling steam.
/Sessha wa rurouni.../
"And second -- even if I did, I still would not be the one you should ask. Kaoru-dono makes her own decisions -- she always has. I'm sure you know that," and he glanced at Keisuke, who still made no reply. "If you wish to marry her, you should go to her."
He finished his tea and set his cup aside. He was aware of Keisuke's deep brown eyes on him, thoughtful and serious, and knew the young
man's curiosity was piqued by his earlier confession. Kenshin sighed and braced himself for the inevitable questions. /Yare yare.../ He
had said what he was supposed to, after all, and that was what mattered.
But Keisuke merely smiled. Again, he bowed deeply. "Wakatte," he said. "Arigatou, Himura-san. You have been of great help."
As he stood up and prepared to leave Kenshin stood up as well. "Daijoubu de gozaru ka, Niimi-san?"
"Hai. Daijoubu. Don't worry about me." Keisuke smiled.
"I will accompany you to the gate." The two men put on their slippers and headed toward the gate. "You have a lantern with you?" Kenshin asked politely.
"Aa. Our quarters are not so far away, anyway. I don't wish to disturb Kaoru so very late, so please tell her later that I've gone home."
"All right." Kenshin began to shut the gate, then hesitated. "Ano... Niimi-san..."
Keisuke stopped, looked back questioningly.
"Take care of Kaoru-dono. I think she will be very happy when you ask her."
Keisuke smiled. "I hope so. I plan to ask her tomorrow. Wish me luck."
And, even though he tried with all his might, Kenshin found that he couldn't.
Light still flickered from Kaoru's room at the far end of the corridor. Kenshin tried to fight off his growing misgivings and knocked.
There was a rustling sound, like cloth rubbing against cloth. "Yes?"
"Komban wa, Kaoru-dono. I know that it's late, but since you're still awake... I thought you might like some tea."
At her quiet assent he slid open the door and walked in with the tray of tea. The beautiful kimono had been carefully laid aside. Kaoru had changed into a yukata and now knelt in front of a mirror, removing her makeup with a soft cloth that she had moistened with water. Seeing how she struggled to hold the mirror and remove her makeup at the same time, Kenshin went over and took hold of the mirror, placing his hand over hers.
Startled, Kaoru looked up, a faint blush tainting her cheeks. After a moment, she let go of the mirror with a soft "Arigatou." As Kenshin held it for her, she finished wiping away the last traces of her makeup.
"I heard Keisuke leave," she said quietly.
"Yes, he didn't want to disturb you any further, he said." Kenshin put down the mirror as Kaoru picked up a cup of steaming tea. For a minute he watched silently as she sipped the tea, watched the yellow glow of the lantern warm her face.
Then, "Omedetou de gozaru, Kaoru-dono," he whispered.
Kaoru's eyes flickered toward him as she took another sip. "Nani, Kenshin?" Though visibly tired, her blue eyes were still bright and curious as they focused on him.
Kenshin smiled despite the strange breathlessness, the odd constriction he felt in his chest. "Niimi-san cares for you very much."
She smiled dreamily. "You think so? Why? Did he tell you something?"
Kaoru looked so beautiful, her cheeks pink, her eyes starry, awash in the lantern's warm light, that Kenshin could not look at her. "You'll find out tomorrow," he forced past the painful knot in his throat. Quickly he rose to his feet. "I'll leave the tea here and go on to bed now, if it's all right with you."
"H-hai." Kaoru clutched the warm teacup to herself, stared down into the swirling depths. "Thank you... for everything. Oyasumi, Kenshin."
In the open doorway, Kenshin paused. "Oyasumi de gozaru, Kaoru-dono." He started to leave but stopped again. Kaoru looked up at him
expectantly as he glanced back, irresolute. Their eyes met.
"You really do love him, ne?" he asked softly.
Kaoru's eyes flashed icy blue. She lowered her gaze. "Of course I do, baka."
Silently, Kenshin shut the shoji behind him and left.
As he padded away down the corridor, he looked about him at the dojo, still and peaceful in the night's shadows. There was a heavy feeling in him that he had given up fighting, a sense of irredeemable loneliness and wistful regret he had not known since...
...since his rurouni days.
Kenshin sighed and continued walking. Then he started as a sound broke the hush and stillness, a sound that came from Kaoru's room, muted and distant yet jarringly sudden.
The crash of fragile ceramic flung against wood.
* tsuzuku *
ororoooorooo... it's 12:53 a.m... I just knew that if I didn't conclude this chapter right now I'd never get any sleep. does it seem a little heavyhanded to you? or maybe a trifle OOC? I think it stands to reason that it's *quite* late (especially for Kaoru, who I imagine usually keeps much saner hours) and that both of them are under considerable emotional stress at the moment.
yare yare. you know what to do with the C&C...