Disclaimer: Don't own characters nor plot
Thanks for all the reviews minna-sama! I lub you all! MWUAH!
Some random guy: Ew! Insane author germs!
::Kills Random Guy::
Anywho, there's another song fic at the end of this. I was trying not to make it a habit, but this one I had planned back when I wateched the series. Strange, isn't it? If you've heard of the song, tell me if you think it fits!
Oh, and I will by no means have Kaoru cry in front of Kenshin in the first scene. (Those who've seen the series will know what I'm talking about) I wanted Kenshin to maintain a little respect for her. This is where my memory goes really fuzzy and I just bunch all the events I like together. @_@ That is the way my insane brain works. Sorry if you expected differently.
* * * * *
Winter
Part Two: Snow
~ VI ~
* * * * *
Kenshin stood a little past the door, where he had just walked in, smiling still, while offering his hand. Kaoru stared at him, half in horror, half in awe. This was the client that she must work with for the upcoming months? She hoped that she was dreaming, but a small part of her wished she wasn't.
"So," Kenshin cleared his throat, "You are from Polaris Architectural, correct?" The smile and outstretched hand remained in place.
"Oh!" Kaoru blinked. Realizing that she had been staring, she blushed and took his hand without meeting his gaze, "Kaoru Kamiya, Director of Marketing."
Some recognition flitted across his face and he asked carefully, "Haven't I met you before?"
"Yes." Kaoru laughed nervously, "You came by my engagement party. Megumi introduced us, I believe."
Kenshin let out a chuckle. "I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me then. My memory isn't what it used to be."
Kaoru managed a weak smile, "It's quite alright, Mr Himura-..."
"Kenshin," he interrupted.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Just call me Kenshin, Miss Kamiya." He smiled kindly.
"Alright then, Kenshin," She tried the word on her lips and paused for a minute to feel the effect of it. Realizing that he was still waiting on her, she hastily said, "Then you can call me by my first name too!"
"Agreed, Kaoru." He smiled and then gestured towards a round table in the center of the room, "Shall we begin?"
Kaoru nodded and headed towards it. She sat in one of the available chairs and spread out several charts, reports and diagrams on the table. Kenshin seated himself across from her and waited politely for her to finish arranging the papers before picking one up and examining it.
Kaoru kept her eyes low as she waited for a reaction. Her heart was thumping loudly in her ribcage for reasons that she could not explain, nor control. The close proximity of him, perhaps. He was sitting across from her. Battousai. Kenshin. One. The other. Both?
Unable to help it, she glanced up and observed as the object of her idle musings read the papers. His brow furrowed slightly while his violet eyes darted back and forth across the page. His expression froze a bit as he smoothly looked up.
"Yes, Kaoru?" His tone was questioning but all the while amused. She blushed and stammered.
"J-just waiting for your response."
"Well," His expression relaxed, "This is quite impressive and thorough for a plan of a mountain resort, if I may say. But I believe I may have misunderstood this wording. What I had thought was..." He took up the diagram closest to him and made references to certain areas while further explaining his point. Kaoru nodded along in agreement without really listening. She found herself observing his features again and was only brought out of this state when she heard his speech coming to a close.
"...-Kaoru." He finished with, looking expectantly at her.
"I'm sorry," She shook herself out of her own stupor, "I didn't quite catch that."
"I was asking for your opinion."
"Um," She contemplated, trying to think of a way out, "Well, I can understand your confusion with the phrasing of the document. I'll be sure to bring it up when I get back to my office."
Kenshin tilted his head slightly and gave her a look of amusement.
"I was asking if you wanted to join me in surveying the area today."
"Oh!" She flushed, embarrassed. She had succeeded in making a complete fool out of herself in front of her client, and Megumi's boyfriend no less! "You'll have to forgive my behavior. I've been lacking a bit of sleep this week." Which was indeed true, but far from the reason she wasn't paying attention. And no sooner had the words left her mouth, had she realized how unprofessional it was to relate personal matters to business. Kenshin, however, paid this no heed.
"Then perhaps you should go home and rest, Kaoru." He looked at her with genuine concern in his eyes. Something about his wording and his expression made Kaoru's heart skip a beat.
"I-I'll be fine."
Kenshin looked unconvinced but felt he was in no position order her home. He was, after all, not of kin to her.
"Well," He stood with somewhat of an inward sigh, "Shall we be going?" Kaoru nodded and the pair left the office.
* * * * *
Kenshin opened the passenger door for the ridiculously large, American SUV he owned. Kaoru stepped in tentatively and felt almost out of place inside it. Kenshin threw her a reassuring smile and turned the key in the ignition, causing the engine to roar to life. On the majority of the thirty-minute drive up, they spoke of the resort Kenshin was planning to build, rather, Kenshin spoke and Kaoru nodded along. She tried to dissuade any conversational input on her part, but for the life of her, could not explain why. She almost felt relieved when they arrived on the snow-capped mountain the hotel was to be built.
When they stepped out, Kaoru realized that perhaps her fall coat wasn't the best protection against the biting cold. Sensing this, Kenshin took off his own overcoat and draped it over her shoulders. He only smiled when a pair of surprised azure eyes turned to meet his.
"You looked cold." He said simply.
"But I can't take this! Then you'll be cold too!" Kaoru was fighting hard to keep a blush from her face and a waver from her voice.
"It's alright," Kenshin gave her a smile that made her efforts useless, "I'm wearing more layers. I'll be fine." With that, he began his trek towards an office at the bottom of the mountain, paying the biting weather no mind. Kaoru hurried along behind him, almost clinging to his oversized coat from the cold.
After Kenshin announced their arrival, he led Kaoru on a tour of the area. He spoke of what it was to look like in the end, the construction in the process of being completed and introduced her to the workers. Kaoru nodded and bowed where necessary, but spoke little besides that.
When lunchtime rolled around, what little amount of construction workers there were gathered into the office building, around a makeshift table, waiting for food to be handed out. Kaoru insisted that she wasn't hungry. Kenshin, likewise, persisted that she needed to eat. Eventually, she complied and sat down beside him as a bowl of noodles and chopsticks were placed in front of her. The two of them ate in silence and listened as the construction workers conversed. One of them, a brusque old man, spoke not so quietly about what he thought of his business superiors.
"That's what it's come to," He grumbled to no one in particular, "The reckless punks that grew up defying us are now our bosses! They think they're so high and mighty ordering us around. Well, here's news for them: they're not!"
Kaoru's temper, which had been mainly dormant until now, began to rise. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, a soft hand on her elbow halted her mid-action.
"Don't," Kenshin said quietly, "Ignore him."
For the moment being, Kaoru was pacified, seeing that Kenshin's way of dealing with the issue was less embarrassing than her own. This was forgotten, however, as the construction worker opened his mouth again.
"If that isn't bad enough," His voice deliberately rising this time, "I have to obey some greedy, clueless freak of a foreigner and a weak, muddle-headed wench!"
Ignoring Kenshin, who had began to try and calm her again, Kaoru slammed down her chopsticks and stood up, earning her the attention of everyone in the hall.
"I'll have you know, sir," She said the word scathingly, "that I don't appreciate your words. I would like to know, upon which right you had to talk to us like that! By no means is he," Kaoru pointed to Kenshin behind her, "greedy, clueless or a freak! And I am not a weak, muddle-headed wench! If you or anyone else disagrees with either of those two facts, then kindly do not hesitate to tell us and we'll fix your opinions for you!" She was almost yelling now, but she did not care. The man's words were unjustified! After her minor speech, silence rang through the hall. Everyone's gaze was darting between the old man and the young woman. Then, as quickly as the startled look appeared on his face, the old man gave Kaoru somewhat of a wry smile.
"So you are different, huh?" He began to eat again, "Maybe you're not as weak as you look. Glad to know some people still have some spirit in them."
Kaoru stood stunned for a moment. Realizing that she just got paid a compliment, Kaoru inclined her head slightly in lieu of a bow and sat down with a blush. She ate the rest of her meal in a daze and didn't notice Kenshin's look of admiration.
* * * * *
After lunch, the two walked back out towards the car in relative silence.
"Yoo-hoo! Kenshin!"
Both heads turned to see Megumi, clad in an overcoat with large fur lining around the collar and cuffs. She ran over as best she could and smiled disarmingly up at Kenshin.
"I came to see you, honey! How was your day?"
"Ms Kamiya and I have just finished surveying the area in preparation for the hotel, Megumi." He replied warmly, yet unaffected by Megumi's flattering look.
Kaoru winced at the formality he addressed her with and dropped her gaze. Megumi, as if noticing her for the first time, turned to her with a bit of surprise and jealousy. Sensing the mounting tension, Kaoru spoke quickly.
"Thank you Mr. Himura, for your time." She said with equal indifference, "I will be updating the records and I'll have them to you as soon as possible. I apologize for intruding. I shall see you both some other time." She took off Kenshin's overcoat and handed it back to him. With a bow, she walked off in the opposite direction, beginning her trek down the mountain.
"Don't you think I should offer her a ride?" Kenshin asked Megumi while still looking confusedly after Kaoru, "She has no way of getting home."
"Don't bother." Megumi latched on to his arm, "Let's just get home, okay?" She gave him an over-sweetened smile and began pulling him back towards the car. With one last look towards Kaoru's retreating figure, Kenshin allowed himself to be dragged back.
* * * * *
Kaoru wasn't aware of how she got back into town. All she could remember was showing up sopping wet on Misao's doorstep and knocking. When the door opened, Misao let out a yelp followed by a string of curses and quickly ushered her inside. She forced a set of clothes into Kaoru's hands and demanded that she change. After Kaoru reappeared, Misao attacked her with a horde of questions, to which Kaoru dazedly replied with a short response. Frustrated at Kaoru's answers, or lack of them, Misao crossed her arms and glowered at her.
"Well?" She asked impatiently "Just tell me what's wrong!"
"Noth-..."
"Don't give me that! Out of the blue, you show up in front of my door, soaked to the bone, looking like you've seen a ghost!"
"I just as well may have." Kaoru let out a short bitter laugh, while her eyes swelled with tears.
"What? Oh, you mean Kenshin Himura?"
That was all the invitation she needed. Kaoru broke down sobbing, confessing all the unwanted emotions plaguing her for the past weeks. Misao listened sympathetically as she explained everything from the throbbing pain of seeing a Battousai on a regular basis, to her insecurities about marrying Enishi.
"Kaoru, I'm sorry all of this was heaped onto your shoulders. God knows you have enough to deal with," Misao patted her friend's back, "But Kenshin is Megumi's boyfriend. And you are engaged to Enishi. I know you have your doubts, but everything will work out! I'm sure of it." She smiled and Kaoru smiled weakly back, halting her tears for a moment. The sudden chirp of Kaoru's cell phone interrupted this brief silence. Kaoru hastily retrieved it from her coat pocket and flipped it open.
"Hello?"
"Kaoru!" Tatsumo's voice happily yelped, "I just got a call from the clients! Awesome job today! They were so impressed!"
"Himura, you mean?" Kaoru blinked, "There must be some mistake. I acted like a fool-..."
"Nonsense!" Tatsumo replied confidantly, "If you presented horribly, then would they be inviting you back tomorrow to further discuss plans?"
"Tomorrow?" Kaoru blanched, "B-but-..."
"And I'll be coming!" Tatsumo plowed on, "And a few days after, we're going to stay there for a few weeks and supervise!"
"Weeks?" Her voice cracked, "I can't! Enishi won't-..."
"He won't mind! This is a great business opportunity here! He'll understand!" She hurriedly said, without giving Kaoru a chance to further protest. There was a brief pause on the other end, "Oh, hey, I have another call coming in. I'll see you tomorrow! Bye!" The line went dead with a click and Kaoru stared at the phone in horror.
"Kaoru?" Misao asked worriedly, "Is something wrong?"
"Everything is fine," Kaoru said numbly, still pale. She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath, "Just fine."
* * * * *
At dinner with Enishi later that evening, Kaoru picked at her food disinterestedly as he spoke about his day. Eventually he stopped when he realized that Kaoru was neither listening nor eating anything.
"Hey. You okay?"
Kaoru jolted out of her own thoughts. Masking her own unease, she gave him a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Enishi nodded and began eating again. "So how was work?" He asked conversationally. Completely engrossed in stabbing his food, he didn't notice Kaoru shift nervously.
"G-good," She choked out, mouth suddenly dry. She swallowed and tried again, "It was good."
"Any new clients?" Enishi asked leisurely.
"N-no. Not really."
Enishi nodded and turned his attention back towards his meal. Kaoru let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Likewise, she turned her eyes towards the plate in front of her, but without any desire to eat. Why didn't she just tell Enishi about Kenshin? He'd be fine with it...wouldn't he? Tentatively, she looked up at him and with a cringe remembered the unjustified jealous rage he used to sink into. Sighing, Kaoru looked away.
No,' She thought, Perhaps it's better that he doesn't know.'
* * * * *
Kaoru dreaded getting up the next morning. For a while, she considered calling in sick to avoid all the awkward moments sure to ensue. In the end she realized with a bit of reluctance how unfair it would be to Tatsumo.
"And it doesn't help the fact that I'm required to be there for two weeks and Enishi still doesn't know about it." Kaoru mused out loud sadly.
She lingered in dressing and eating, wanting to put off the inevitable as much as possible. Finally seeing that she was about to be late, she exited her apartment and hailed a cab to Kenshin's office. When she arrived, Sano and Kenshin were waiting for her. Tatsumo stood off to the side, shuffling a deck of cards.
"Glad to see you made it!" She waved while pocketing the cards with the other hand, "For a while, I was worried you wouldn't come!" She grinned and Kaoru laughed nervously.
"Hello Kaoru," Kenshin greeted, "I believe you've met Sano already?" He gestured towards the aforementioned.
"Yup she has," He gave her a lopsided grin. "Hey Missy."
"Well, now that everyone is here, shall we be going?" Kenshin suggested. There was a general sense of agreement and everyone piled into Kenshin's SUV. Sano took the front seat, to Kaoru's relief, and occupied Kenshin with jokes throughout the ride. Kaoru sat quietly in the back with Tatsumo, who began shuffling the cards again. She to divert her curiosity but the constant movement beside her made any effort futile.
"Tatsumo," She finally gave in, "What are those?"
"Tarrot cards," Tatsumo replied, punctuating this with another shuffle.
"But this is a business trip," Kaoru tried to sound stern, but didn't succeed in hiding a smile. Tatsumo loved her fun.
"Just thought we might be bored later." She shrugged.
The car pulled to a stop, signaling their arrival. Tatsumo put the cards away again and the four of them stepped out.
* * * * *
In reality, the resort didn't need much construction. There was already a building in place with semi-finished, if not constantly dank and musty, rooms. The lobby was to be redone completely as well as the facilities. The basement and attic were loaded with mostly useless antiques on the border of falling apart. The four spoke of plans, budgets, finished products and had even begun to clean with the workers. They had barely enough energy to finish with the kitchens.
"Ugh," Sano collapsed into a folding chair and used what little energy he had left to shake the debris from his clothes, "Dust bunnies are going to haunt me in my sleep now."
"Get over it you big baby," Tatsumo retorted while picking cobwebs out of her hair.
"Who are you calling a baby?!"
Kenshin stretched and looked at the now-bickering pair with amusement. "Now, now, settle down you two."
"But she started it!"
"Did not, you blundering oaf!"
Kaoru didn't join in the argument as she, too, sat down, exhausted. Physically, she wasn't too worn out. Mentally, however, she was about to break down. If hours of cleaning weren't enough, accidental brushes with Kenshin were enough to permanently damage her nerves. It took more energy to avoid him than to actually clear a room.
"Hey! I just remembered!" Tatsumo reached into her pocket and pulled out the cards, "Now that we're resting, who wants their fortune told? How about you, Kaoru?" She looked over expectantly.
"Tatsumo, I don't believe in fortune telling." Kaoru said tiredly.
"Oh come on!"
"Not today, Tatsumo," Kaoru sighed, wanting to avoid argument and stood up, "I'm going to get us some coffee." Without waiting for a response, she left. Tatsumo shrugged after her and looked at the two men. Sano immediately backed away.
"Nuh-uh. You'd probably tell me I'm doomed to lose some vital body part. I don't want any more bad karma from you."
Tatsumo glared at him and then turned towards Kenshin. "Humor me, Himura."
Despite Sano's frantic gesturing for him not to do it, he shrugged. "Why not?"
"Finally!" Tatsumo fanned the cards out on the table and gestured towards them, "Pick one."
Kenshin's hand hovered over the deck and finally drew one from the center. He flipped it over on the table and Tatsumo's brow furrowed.
"'The Reverse-Bladed Sword.' Interesting." She put the card back, shuffled twice, and lay them out again, "Pick another one."
Kenshin drew the card near the beginning and laid it on the table. A slight look of confusion passed Tatsumo's face.
"Reverse-Bladed Sword again." She considered for a moment and shuffled the cards one last time and put them on the table. "Go ahead. Pick a third."
Now highly amused, Kenshin picked a card near the bottom of the deck and handed it over. He watched as her eyes widened and, once again, said that he had picked the Reverse-Bladed Sword.
"What does this mean, Great Tatsumo, Seer of the Future?" Kenshin's eyes danced with laughter. She paid no attention to his teasing and continued staring at the card. Finally, she put it back in the deck and looked up.
"The first card you picked should represent a problem you have in your life. The second represented something you need to know. The third was the solution."
"So my problem is what I need to learn, and then that is my solution?" Kenshin mused out loud.
"Not quite. In your case, your problem is that something is backwards in your life. What you need to find out is specifically what the problem is. And...I don't know what the solution is." Tatsumo laughed sheepishly, "No one has ever drawn the same card three times."
"I told you she's messed up." Sano said from the distance where he regarded the scene. "You watch your back, Kenshin. Some evil assassin is probably after you now." Kenshin laughed and Tatsumo began slinging insults just as Kaoru walked back in with a tray of coffee and proceeded in handing them out. The arguing stopped to make way for much-needed caffeine.
"Well," Kenshin stood when he finished and threw out his empty cup, much revived, "Ready to start?" The other three agreed and they began their work again.
* * * * *
The daylight passed and the four realized just how late it was getting. Kenshin drove Kaoru and Shura back to their office and confirmed arrangements of their extended stay, starting the day after the next. Kaoru agreed on their behalf with weariness and entered the building to gather some last minute files to work on. Tatsumo trailed in after her.
"Are you feeling okay today, Kaoru?" She asked as she habitually leaned against the doorframe.
"I'm fine." She looked up from where she was organizing folders, "Why do you ask?"
Tatsumo shrugged, "You just look extremely worn out. I bet I could find out what the problem is." She pulled out the tarrot cards and waved them around in a tempting manner.
"Not those again." Kaoru groaned.
"Oh come on. What do you have to lose?"
Kaoru opened her mouth to reply but Tatsumo was already laying out the cards on the table. With a sigh, Kaoru sat and Tatsumo told her to draw three cards and lay them face down in front of her. Once that was done, Tatsumo flipped over the first one and revealed Cupid. Teasingly, she said that the problem was within Kaoru's love life. They both laughed over this, but Kaoru couldn't help but wonder about the truth behind that statement. She then flipped over the second card and looked at it curiously.
"An hourglass, generally referring to the passing time. That's you need to gain knowledge about." Tatsumo shrugged and replaced the two face-up cards into her deck, "You make your own assumptions on that." Kaoru made a move to flip over the final card but a hand pressed down on it, keeping her from revealing it.
"Your solution is under that card, Kaoru. You probably don't believe in these things, but you may want to keep it." Solemnity was in Tatsumo's eyes, "A lot of things are causing you stress. Sometimes we need something to tell us to keep going on. That card can serve as a reminder that there is a solution to every problem."
Touched, Kaoru gave her a genuine smile. "Thanks."
Tatsumo smiled back and stood to leave. Kaoru watched as she trailed out the door, leaving her alone in her office. She became aware that her hand was still on the face-down card. Turning it over, she read the heading over the picture.
"'The Reverse-Bladed Sword.'"
* * * * *
The next day passed with relative ease for Kaoru, considering she wasn't needed to meet with Kenshin. She engrossed herself completely in her work and barely noticed when the clock turned past the normal hour in which she was due home. A soft knocking interrupted her concentration and she replied without looking.
"Be there in a minute, Tatsumo."
"Kaoru," A manly voice said, irritably, "I believe you're late."
"Oh!" Kaoru looked up surprised, then quickly masked it with a smile. "Hello Enishi. What was I late for again?"
"Dinner." He grumbled like a child deprived of candy.
"I'm sorry! I completely lost track of time!" Kaoru stood and began gathering papers to take home, "Just give me a second."
"Oh no. It's no problem for me at all." Enishi sneered, quite on the contrary to his words. Kaoru ignored his tone of voice and began packing the papers into her bag. Yet another knock halted her and she looked up, beckoning the person in. The words died on her mouth as her face registered utter horror.
"Hello Kaoru," Kenshin stepped into the doorway, ignoring Enishi's surprised and disgusted glares, "I hope I'm not interrupting?"
"N-no," Kaoru managed to finally breathe, "Not at all. B-but how...?"
"Oh, you mean how I found your office?" Kenshin finished for her, "It was on the report you gave me, was it not? I also drove you back yesterday." He gave her a smile. Enishi by this time, was red with rage. Kaoru noticed out of the corner of her eye and paled. Count on Kenshin to come on a day that Enishi was feeling irritated. Maybe if she could get him out of here and explain everything to Enishi, he wouldn't be violently mad later that night.
"So," Kaoru cleared her throat, preparing to make use of her plan, "did you need me for something?"
"Yes, actually," Kenshin brought the folder into view, "These are just some things for tomorrow's trip that you may want to know." He opened it and handed some papers to Kaoru, "I realized about fifteen minutes ago that I had forgotten to give them to you yesterday and I was hoping you were still in your office. I'm glad I caught you." He laughed and Kaoru smiled nervously, taking hesitant glances at Enishi. Great, now he knew about the two-week stay too.
"I'm sorry Ken-...Mr. Himura," Kaoru immediately corrected her familiar use of his name, seeing Enishi rage, "But you'll have to excuse me. I'm late for an appointment."
"Oh!" Kenshin acted as if noticing Enishi for the first time, "Pardon me for intruding. I'll see you tomorrow, Kaoru." His eyes flicked towards Enishi before bowing and exiting the room.
The room was silent after the door clicked shut after him. Kaoru was afraid to look in Enishi's direction, let alone speak. She closed her eyes and readied herself for the lecturing promised to come. She was not disappointed.
"Mind telling me what's going on?" Enishi said, voice dangerously low. "When did you plan on telling me that you were going to elope with Megumi's boyfriend?"
"Enishi," Kaoru sighed and ran a tired hand through her hair, "We weren't going to elope. He came to me for business matters."
"Well he sounded awfully cozy with you!" Enishi yelled, "What was I supposed to think?! He was using your name with such familiarity and he even dropped you off after work! How many other clients' have you seen for business matters,' Kaoru?" He said the word scathingly and Kaoru winced.
"Please, Enishi. You're not being reasonable. I-..."
"You what, Kaoru?" Enishi spat, "What were you two talking about? What trip' were you planning?"
"It's a business trip for two weeks and-..."
"Ah! Another business trip, is it?" Enishi laughed bitterly, "For two weeks? When were you planning on telling me?"
"I was going to tell you soon, but the chance never came up-..." Kaoru tried desperately.
"Never came up? NEVER CAME UP?!" Enishi's voice rose, making his face a distinct shade of purple, "I asked you two days ago whether you had any new clients!"
Kaoru winced, knowing he had a point, with a shaky breath, she tried again to pacify him. "Please, Enishi. Let's forget about this and just go have dinner."
"Oh no Kaoru," Enishi said with mock politeness, "Don't let me keep you from your work."
"Enishi..." Kaoru tried to call him back. He ignored this and stomped out of the room. Kaoru slumped back down in her chair. Everything was going wrong.
* * * * *
Kenshin left Kaoru's office with a bit of hesitance. He was worried about what her fiancé was about to do. Sure enough, before he walked the length of the hall, loud yelling emitted from her general direction. He stopped and listened. When he heard no crash or other sounds of violence, he walked on, telling himself that it was not his business what transpired between Kaoru and Enishi. With a sigh, he approached the awaiting vehicle containing the very annoyed Megumi.
"Well?" She asked, none too kindly.
"Well what?" He pretended to be oblivious.
"Did she try to seduce you?" Megumi asked impatiently.
"Megumi," Kenshin sighed, "She did nothing of the sort. Besides her fiancé was there with her."
"Oh ho!" Megumi smiled knowingly, "That means she's bound to do it later! She always steals my men"
"I don't see Kaoru as that kind of a person."
"'Kaoru,' is it now? So familiar in such a short time? Tell me, what else has she done to you?"
"Nothing," Kenshin tried to focus on the road, "She's an honest, professional woman who has my respect."
"I wouldn't be surprised if she tried something later. It'd be very typical," Megumi mumbled, just softly enough to be heard. Kenshin raised an eyebrow and she saw this out of the corner of her eye. Good, she thought. She'll need a plan to make Kenshin stay away from Kaoru. She wasn't about to lose another one to her.
Kenshin was waiting for Megumi to elaborate, but when she didn't, he took the bait and prompted, "What do you mean by typical?"
"Well," She turned to him and looked at him solemnly, plan clicking into place, "as girls growing up, we were really close friends. We were like sisters, even." Megumi masked her lie with a small rueful smile, as if remembering good times, "But she wasn't as...well off as I was, you see, and she would always try to prove she was better than I was. She had always made a point of seducing the men I liked."
"Hm," Kenshin looked at her unconvinced, "Are you sure you weren't just jealous?"
"I'm positive!" Megumi acted hurt, "Besides, she always does it the same way. She gains pity from the guy by pretending that he looks like a lost love that she never got over. Then bam! He's off with her!"
"Really," Kenshin chuckled, "I can't see that happening."
"I know, I know. She looks innocent and young," Megumi waved it off impatiently, "But promise me you won't fall for it?"
"All right," Kenshin agreed, seeing as she'd nag him to his grave if need be, "I won't fall for it."
* * * * *
After Enishi had left, Kaoru did something she hadn't done in a while. She went to a bar and ordered more than she knew she could handle. She was sitting dejectedly by herself in a booth, glaring over the rim of the glass when she heard someone call out to her over the soft drift of the music.
"Kaoru! What are you doing here?"
She looked up numbly just as a new song began to play.
Been a fool, been a clown, lost my way from looking down
And I know, yes I know
Kenshin strode over and looked at her concernedly, "Are you alright, Kaoru?"
"Hm?" She smiled hazily up at him, "I'm fine Mr Himura. Care to join me?" Her words slurred and there were dull trails of mascara down her cheeks.
And I see in your eyes that you really weren't surprised at me
At all, not at all
Kenshin looked worriedly at her and debated over her invitation. Deciding it was better not to leave her drunk in a place like this, he sat.
And I know by your smile, it's you.
Kaoru grinned at him stupidly, although her giddiness didn't quite reach her eyes, "So what brings you here, Mr Kenshin Himura?"
Don't care for me, don't cry
Let's say goodbye, adieu.
"I just dropped Megumi off at home," He looked around the place and finally his gaze settled on her, "I often come here after a hard day of work." He smiled.
"Really now," She patted him on the shoulder with a limp hand, "You know what you need?" She lifted her head and yelled brazenly, "Waitress! Get this man a vodka!" She turned back to him and was met with worried eyes again.
"Kaoru, are you sure you should still be here?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine." She waved him off and took another swig out of her glass.
I know that in time, it all will just fade away
Goodbye, so long, adieu.
She set the glass down again and peered up at the man in front of her. A drink had just been placed in front of Kenshin and he bowed a little and thanked the waitress. Kaoru scrutinized him with a hand under her chin. With the soft glow of the dim-lit bar, his eyes no longer looked violet. Instead, they took on an amber hue. Kaoru sat up slowly and giggled, no longer in a right state of mind.
Kenshin set his glass down, "Kaoru?"
Oh how I love you so, lost in those memories
But now, you've gone
I feel the pain, feel it like a fool. Adieu.
She didn't know if it was the song or the alchohol or the whole mood. Kaoru looked at him again, giggles dying into a lingering smile.
"Battousai," She whispered.
My love for you burns deep inside me
So strong
Embers of times we've had
"Pardon?" Kenshin leaned in to hear her.
"Battousai," Kaoru repeated, a bit more loudly, "Battousai, Battousai, Battousai." She said in a singsong voice.
"Who is that?" Kenshin asked, more worried than ever.
"It's you, silly!"
And now, here I stand, lost in a memory
Goodbye, so long, adieu.
"Me?" Kenshin straightened.
"Yes, no, maybe so!" Kaoru laughed, then stopped abruptly and looked down, "But you can't be."
"I can't be?" Kenshin asked.
"No. No one can be Battousai." Kaoru sighed in a mournful voice and shook her head.
Oh how I love you so, lost in those memories,
But now, you've gone.
"No one can be Battousai..." Kaoru hiccuped and shook her head again, "Because Battousai is gone. He cannot come back."
"Oh," Kenshin sat back. Could it be that what Megumi said was true? "Why can't he come back?"
"Because he's dead!" Kaoru wailed and buried her head in her hands.
I feel the pain, feel it like a fool.
Adieu.
She stopped after a minute and looked up. Raising a finger in Kenshin's direction she hiccuped again.
"But you," She said, and dropped her hand again, looking away, "You." She said to herself.
"I what?" Kenshin asked cautiously, testing to see if his theory was true.
My love for you, burns deep inside me so strong
Kaoru looked up at him again, eyes holding an unfathomable pain. "You remind me..." She put a hand over her heart, "You hurt me..."
Kenshin looked at her pityingly, "Kaoru, stop..."
"No!" She shook her head wildly, "I don't want to stop remembering."
Embers of times we've had...
"Kaoru," Kenshin put a restraining hand on her arm. She looked up into his eyes, tears silently slipping down her face. "But you can be Battousai, right? Just pretend." She gripped his arm and looked pleadingly at him.
"Remember? Your favorite color is sapphire blue. Your favorite animals are people. Please remember?"
Kenshin sighed and removed her hands.
"Kaoru, please."
She nodded and backed away from him sadly. She laid her head on the table and sobbed quietly. Kenshin looked at her sadly, debating whether he should comfort her or not. If he did, he might give the wrong impression. With that, he sat helplessly as she cried.
And now, here I stand
Lost in a memory
"Kaoru?" He asked hesitantly when the sobs died down. She didn't look up or reply. He went around to her side and lifted her gingerly by the shoulders. She was asleep. With a sigh, he paid for both their drinks and walked out the door with Kaoru in his arms.
Goodbye, so long, adieu.
* * * * *
Kenshin had debated over where to bring the unconscious woman in his arms and what to say to her once she came to. He settled on his temporary apartment and was still thinking about the latter issue when he put her gently on the couch in his living room. Deciding that the vodka Kaoru ordered didn't do much to soothe his nerves, he stood and walked to his kitchen.
At the same time he walked out, Kaoru stirred. She blinked a few times before becoming extremely aware of an unbearable headache. Cradling her head, she sat up carefully and looked around. This certainly wasn't any place she had ever been before.
"You're in my apartment," Kenshin answered her unasked question from the doorway behind her. She turned to him and looked with confusion swirling in her eyes.
"What...?" Kaoru began to ask but stopped when she felt a torrent of memories overtake her mind. She blushed as she realized all of the embarrassing things she had said.
"Um, listen Kenshin...About tonight..."
"It's alright, Kaoru." Kenshin smiled at her, "I'm very flattered that you would try. But you are engaged and I have a...I've been seeing Megumi."
"I'm sorry?" Kaoru looked at him blankly, "What did I try?"
The smile faded from Kenshin's face and he looked at her with an unreadable expression, "Kaoru, when Megumi first told me about your habit, I didn't want to believe her. You had my respect, but now I believe I pity you above everything else." He said gently, almost as if to soften the blow.
Kaoru stared at him dumbly. What had she done to make him speak this way about her? Surely, she didn't try anything too stupid?
"Come again?" She asked, "Megumi said I had a habit?"
"Kaoru," Kenshin sighed, "I believe you know what I'm talking about. It's not healthy pretending that you lost your love, just so you could gain favor of someone."
Kaoru's eyes widened and she ducked her head, bangs covering her face. Slowly, she stood and slapped Kenshin smartly across the face. He staggered, not expecting the blow. He looked back at Kaoru who was now shaking with rage.
"Don't you DARE say that I'm using his death for my benefit!" She looked up at him with angry tears slipping down her face, "I would never pretend such a thing! It took me ten painful years to get over it! And don't act like you know what you're talking about either!"
She straightened herself and strode to the door. With her hand on the knob, she turned. "And I believe I will not be able to go tomorrow. I plan on resigning from my position." She strode out and slammed the door behind her. Kenshin stood rooted to the spot where she had slapped him. Slowly, he sighed and sat down on the unoccupied couch.
"Perhaps Megumi was wrong."
* * * * *
The next morning, he picked up Sano and Tatsumo for the hotel. He informed them that Kaoru had called in sick and would not be coming that day. He tried to focus on his work, but the conversation from the past night kept springing to mind. Unbearably restless by lunchtime, he took a break and went to see Megumi at her clinic.
He parked his car and walked directly into her office without knocking. He blinked in surprise when he saw that it was not Megumi in the room, rather another woman around her age. He bowed a quick apology.
"I'm sorry, I did not think anyone else would be here to see Megumi."
"It's alright," She grinned. "I didn't either."
He looked at her strangely and then laughed. "I'm Kenshin Himura." He stuck out his hand.
"I know," She took the outstretched hand and shook it, "I've met you before, although I'm not quite sure you know me yet. I'm Misao Makimachi."
"I've met you before?" Kenshin's brow furrowed.
"Yes, at Kaoru's engagement party."
"Ah, I can't seem to remember anyone I meet there." He laughed sheepishly, "So you are a friend of Kaoru's?"
"We grew up together," Misao said proudly. "I've known her longer than life itself."
"So you must be pretty good friends," He smiled. A thought struck him and he asked, "Were Kaoru and Megumi close friends too?"
"Who told you that?" Misao looked at him like he had grown a second head.
"Forget I asked," Kenshin laughed sheepishly. Might as well get all the questions out now, "Speaking of which, did you or Megumi know a man name Battousai?"
The smile faded from Misao's face and she narrowed her eyes. "Why do you ask?"
"Well," Kenshin said sheepishly, "Kaoru was drunk yesterday and she told me that I reminded her of him."
"Oh," Misao's face cleared somewhat, "I'm not going to ask how much you got her to drink to tell you that."
"So it's true?" He asked expectantly.
Misao looked hesitant and reluctant to answer.
"So she was lying." Kenshin stated. "Thank you for answering my questions." He bowed and turned to leave. Just as his hand reached the doorknob, her voice called out to him.
"She was telling the truth!" Misao blurted out. Kenshin turned back around and looked at her curiously. Misao refused to meet his gaze and continued.
"Ten years ago, she fell in love with him. By some accident, he died and she never got to tell him her feelings. It took her all of the ten years to get over it."
Kenshin looked down, letting the weight of the words sink in. "Thank you. That's all I wanted to know." He bowed and was prepared to walk out the door, just as Megumi was walking in.
"Kenshin!" She greeted happily, "Were you here to see me? I'll just finish with Misao and-..."
"It's alright, Megumi," He interrupted, "I was just on my way out. Good day." He said stiffly and trailed out.
Megumi looked after him, stunned. "Misao," she asked, turning back around. "What did he say?"
"Nothing much," She shrugged, "He just asked a few questions about Kaoru and Battousai."
"And what did you say?" Megumi paled.
"Just the truth."
Megumi groaned and sank down into a chair.
* * * * *
A/N: The only problem I have with the real series is perhaps how mean "Kenshin" was to "Kaoru." I decided to cut some of that, since it also went against Kenshin's personality. I replace it with deep pity, but I don't know if that worked. And also, in the real series, "Megumi" did much worse, but I felt that she deserved a break after all I've already done to her. So she'll find peace soon. And yes I keep saying that. You'll see what I mean later. ::evil grin::